Texas teen drowned toddler in pond to make room for pregnant girlfriend’s unborn child

Police say an east Texas teen has confessed to drowning his pregnant girlfriend's 3-year-old nephew by pushing him into a pond to make room for their unborn child.
Authorities say the toddler trusted Bobby Woods Jr., 17, enough to follow him to the water's edge on Aug. 17 as he played outside their families' shared Lufkin home.
Once there, Woods, knowing the boy couldn't swim, said he pushed Mason Cuttler into the water before turning his back as the floundering boy screamed for help, the Angelina County Sheriff's Office said.

Woods later helped search for the child whose body was found in the private pond a day later.

Mason's parents released a statement Friday, thanking local authorities and volunteers for assisting them "in our time of loss."

 "We especially thank the Angelina County Sheriff's Office for their pursuit of justice for mason. At this time, we ask for your prayers for our family. We need time to grieve and try to heal. We are remembering our kind-hearted angel and those memories with support from our loved ones will get us through this," they stated.

Woods, who is described as a member of one of three families living at the home, was booked Friday on a charge of capital murder of a person under age 6.
Mason's online obituary describes him as a "happy child."

"He loved Mickey Mouse and Thomas the Train. He enjoyed playing on the family tractor, helping mow on the lawn mower, and riding the 4-wheeler," it reads.



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