Tyler man jailed after disabled daughter loses feet to frostbite

TYLER, Texas (KLTV) - A man has been booked into the Smith County Jail after his alleged delay in seeking medical care for his daughter led to a double amputation.

According to the Smith County Sheriff’s Office, on March 2, Child Protective Services (CPS) reported to them a possible child abuse case. Doctors with UT Health Tyler had previously notified CPS of a disabled 17-year-old female who had been taken to the hospital for severe frostbite to both feet.

The next day, investigators with the Smith County Sheriff’s Office spoke with the father of the victim, Glenn Caldwell, 45. Investigators learned that Caldwell had noticed the condition of his daughter’s feet on February 23 or 24. However, Caldwell did not seek medical attention for his daughter until March 1, after his daughter suffered with extreme frostbite on both feet for at least five days, the sheriff’s office says.

The teenager was diagnosed with severe frostbite, and had to have both feet amputated. She was noted to have been previously diagnosed with mental developmental delay and intellectual disability, as well.

On March 19, investigators presented an arrest affidavit to Judge Taylor Heaton of Smith County Court at Law #2. Judge Heaton issued a warrant for the arrest of Glenn Caldwell Jr. for the offense of Injury to a Child/Disabled Person by Omission. This offense is a State Jail Felony and a bond of $250,000 was assessed.

On March 20, Caldwell was arrested for this offense and booked into the Smith County Jail.