the story that you told us Monday and the same story that you just told us, Adrian, it's not adding up. >> We never hurt him. >> He's got very, very severe injuries. >> On Monday, June 5th, 2023, a 911 call came from a home in the 100 block of Becky Drive in Witchah Falls, Texas. A 10-month-old boy had gone limp in the inhome daycare where he was dropped off every morning. His name was Shawn Mitchell. Everyone called him SJ. The woman who made the call was 22-year-old Adrienne Veter. She had been watching him since that morning. She told responders he had a seizure. He was taken to United Regional, then flown to Cook Children's in Fort Worth, where doctors found bleeding on both sides of his brain and no explanation that fit. That night, Witchah Falls detectives sat Adrien Veter down in an interview room. This is the interrogation of Adrien Veter. Witchah Falls Police Department, the night of June 5th. Have you been told of SJ's condition or anything? >> Um, his mom told me he had a brain a brain bleed and I was really concerned on how because it it [clears throat] still doesn't make sense to me. It nothing nothing makes sense at all. I I know what happened. I saw what happened. I saw but I didn't saw like I I was there all day. I didn't I didn't step outside. I didn't leave. Like it was literally impossible for SJ to physically something like brute >> hitting his head on a fit or anything. Just one time. >> Just one time. >> Okay. That's one thing I was going to go over with you. Uh I got some medical records from the kid. >> Okay. >> Um I talked to the ER doctor. By the time I got there, the kid was already getting taken to the to the airport with mom. Um they're flying him out. Um but there was there was some concerns because he actually had two uh subdural hematomas on both sides of his brain which is brain bleeds on the left side and the right side. >> Right. >> Um [clears throat] and the locations uh of the brain bleeds are noted and there was quite a bit concern with the doctor um as far as what his medical evaluation of SJ was. They're pretty soft, meaning if they fall from two or three foot, chances of them having a severe injury are pretty low. >> And you even said he had a soft spot on the back of his head and top of his head. >> To me, that doesn't necessarily add up with if he threw his head back and he's 10 months old. Granted, I've not seen the kid. I don't know how baby. He could be a little holster. I don't know. But you would know him better than I would. I wouldn't think just common knowledge based off what I've my training [clears throat] and everything. I don't know that I would expect him to have a have two brain bleeds, one on either side of his brain just from him throwing his head back having [clears throat] >> having a tantrum. You know what I mean? >> Um, do you have any kind of anger problems or short temper, short cues, anything? >> No, I'm on I'm on meds for everything. So, what are you on? What are you on medication for, if you don't mind me asking? >> Um, depression, anxiety. I have bipolar one. Um, PTSD, but I'm I'm on meds, so like I'm very >> got it pretty under control. >> Yes, sir. >> I put myself on meds to better myself for my daughter. And it's >> I mean, I'm probably the best version of Adrian you could possibly meet. If you would have talked to me two years ago, you wouldn't have liked her. >> Okay, I understand. Everybody's everybody's different. [clears throat] Um the doctor doctor told me he was kind of concerned because the the type of injuries that that SJ had was pretty common with shaken baby syndrome. Um which is kind of why we got called out and anytime a kid gets carefed out of here um to cooks for something that seems simple but doesn't match up. That's why we get brought in just to make sure we have all of our tees crossed, all of our eyes dotted. completely understood. >> Um, is there any cameras other than the the baby the [clears throat] baby monitor uh that you have in the bedroom? Is there any other cameras within the living room or anything? >> No, I don't have any cameras on the inside. I have a camera by my front door >> and I have a camera by my back door so I can see who's driving past my house at all times. >> What kind of cameras do you have? >> Uh, >> is like a doorbell camera or >> another like light bulb camera so it looks like a light bulb. tell Bluetooth to your phone essentially or Wi-Fi rather. [cough and clears throat] >> Okay. Um, do you have any questions for me? Do you have any anything to add that I may not have may not have asked about? [clears throat] >> I just want to know if he's okay. I I know he's probably not. I I'm still concerned myself on literally everything that happened. But I love SJ as my own and I I I'm a mom. I don't even put my hands on my own kid. I like swat her hand if she does something she's not supposed to. But I I don't It breaks my heart when I even get on to my own daughter. >> Right. >> So I I don't even like seeing SJ cry. Like it breaks my heart. I'm just like I don't know what to do cuz I'm not mommy. >> Mhm. >> So there's only so much Auntie Adrian can do because mommy's not there. I got you. So, how how were they involved? Were they Did they show up to your house after 911 or? >> No. Um, after everything happened, I called my husband. I was crying and he left work immediately and he came home to make sure I was okay. >> Okay. >> To just just keep me company. He left work early. My sister didn't get off early. She came home around like 5:30. And then um when Felicity dropped him off, dropped FJ off this morning, did he have any other like did he seem not normal? Did he have any other odd behaviors or anything when she dropped him off to you? >> Not really. >> Okay. >> I mean, he was literally just like I said, he was literally fine all day until he wasn't. >> Okay. Um I I'm believe you're being truthful and honest with me. Uh, but like I said, we have cuz I don't know his condition other than what the doctor told me at the hospital, which is what I told you that he has two separate brain bleeds. Um, obviously if I have to go to Cooks tomorrow, uh, to visit with mom and and figure out kind of more what's going on, um, his condition could change for the worse. It could change for the better. I don't know. I'm not a doctor. >> Um, but that's that's probably on the agenda. um just to make sure that we're all on the same page. Uh would you be willing to sign a consent to search your house? And then primarily it's just for photographs just so we can say, "Okay, she's pointing out that it happened here. Here's a photograph of the scene. She said she was in the kitchen. Here's the distance. Here's, you know, that way we've got everything dotted and crossed so we don't have to call you back tomorrow or interview you again." It's almost pretty stressful you guys having to deal with >> having to deal with that. >> I mean, yes. I mean, I'm pretty stressed out. Like, I obviously I don't like being accused of nothing. I know I'm not being accused of >> No, you're not. You're not being accused. We're trying to figure out. >> I And it's And whenever all all the cops showed up the second time, me and my husband, and my sister were all looking at each other like >> we thought everything was okay. The cops literally told me that how I did a good job on SJ and they never said two words. They checked on me. They were like, "Are you okay?" Like, "I'm I'm shooken up, but I'm I'm okay." >> Yeah. I I just don't think nobody expected him to have the injuries that he had, >> right? >> Um once they got the scans of his CT scans of his brain, they're like, "Oh shit." Right. >> This is changed dramatically. Now we got to ship him out and get him critical care quick. >> Um and I don't think they expected that. So, would you be willing to sign a consent for that? just to take photographs of the inside, kind of get bearings of what you're talking about. That way I have a better understanding of the positioning and you can even you can even uh need us out there and show us exactly where he was and where you were and where your daughter was. That way we can get a better understanding and idea. And if this was a complete accident, that's what they're called. Accidents. Accidents happen. Um, but we're just trying to nail a, you know, a concise um, timeline of what happened and just to make sure we're not missing anything. If this is an accident, no harm, no foul, and hopefully he makes a full recovery, >> right? >> Okay. Um, we can fill the rest of this out later. >> Uh, so were the fire department and ambulance and police already there by the time Mason got there? >> Uh, [clears throat] they've already done left and gone. like the police and the ambulance made it there before Felicity did. Oh, >> okay. Perfect. Um, I'll go talk to uh Mason real quick. See if you can go get your phone. Um, and I mean you can just kind of walk me through everything, make sure we're not missing anything, then we can get you guys out of here cuz I know it's getting kind of late. So, give me one sec. And All right. Sorry about that. >> Is that it? >> What kind of fun is that? >> And my phone. It's really old. >> Oh, okay. No words. So, I think you can show me I guess the phone calls. Um, >> this is when I called him asleep. Called him. >> Okay. And so, you laid him down where? >> What? >> In my daughter's bed. >> In Sawyer's crib or just on the floor? >> In Sawyer's crib. >> In Sawyer's crib. Okay. Is there anything in that crib? And just a pillow and sheets. >> A pillow and sheets. Okay. >> Um, how was he acting when you put him in the crib? You said he he was fussy. >> Yeah, he was fussy. I gave him a papy. Sorry. I call him papies, but yes. >> I gave him a papy because he recently started using it and his mom said if he ever is way too fussy, give him this puppy. If he doesn't want it, put on Trolls in a little bit. >> Okay. Is there a TV in uh Sawyer's room? No, I'm working on it though. >> Okay. >> It would be nice to have a TV. >> How long did he sleep uh on Monday? >> You said you put him in there about 11:30, >> but how long did he sleep for uh on Monday? >> Uh it was a 3-hour nap. So >> a 3-hour nap. >> Yes. >> Okay. >> Cuz he was still asleep when my husband came home from his lunch break. >> Okay. >> So I want to say my husband went >> How long How long was Mason at home for his lunch break? >> 30 minutes. 30 minutes. >> 30 minutes ago. >> Okay. So, SJ took a 3-hour nap. You put him in his crib at 11:30. What time did he wake up from his nap? >> Around around 2:30 3. >> Around 2:30, 3:00. >> Yes, sir. >> Okay. >> What did uh when Mason came home for lunch, was he was he taking a nap? >> No. >> What time did Mason come home for lunch? around 1:30, 1:40. >> So, you put them you put SJ in the crib at 11:30. Mason came home at 12:30 or 1:00 or did you say 1:00 or 1:30? >> 1:00. >> He came home at 1:00. And you said SJ was not sleeping. >> SJ was sleeping. >> He was sleeping. >> Yes. >> Okay. Um Mason was only there for 30 minutes. Did Mason have any interactions with SJ when he came home for lunch on Monday? >> No. >> No. Okay. So, what time would you say that SJ woke up on Monday? >> Around 1:30 2. >> Around 1:30 to 2. Okay. I'm just I'm just making sure. That's all. I'm just making sure I'm not leaving any details out. Um 1:30. And then what what um what what did you how did he wake up? How did you notice he woke up? He was literally just laying in his bed and he stood up and just hanged like was holding the crib. Like he was literally fine. Like nothing, all the normal me, no crying, no nothing. Like at one point [clears throat] in the day, he was sleeping on my chest. Like everything was fine. >> And those are the photos that you sent to Felicity, right? >> Yes, sir. >> Okay. >> So, I'm assuming you saw him on the baby monitor stand up in the crib. >> Yes. >> You went and [snorts] did you go and pick him up? >> I did. I went to pick him up and we went to the living room and so he was already playing with blocks and me and her sat down and started playing the blocks with him. >> Okay. How many How many blocks would you say were in the living room floor? >> A lot. >> A lot. >> Like more than 10. >> I brought the whole bucket and it and >> the whole bucket. >> How How many would you ballpark? You don't have to be exact, but how many blocks would you ballpark say that were in the bucket that you dumped all over the living room floor? >> Um 35. 35. Okay. >> Is it really big? >> And is is it those is it those big oversized Legos? >> Yeah. Like >> the toddler Legos? >> Yes. Yes. Yes. >> So quite a few. >> Yes. >> Okay. Um and you said when you brought in SJ to the living room and put them on the floor, your daughter Sawyer was playing with the blocks already. >> Yes, sir. >> Okay. What walk me through what happened after that? >> Did you get down on the floor and play with them? Did you go do something else? Were they playing together? >> No. No. They I went to go sit down with with them and play the blocks with them and like show them like look you can do this and this and all this stuff with it. >> They had no interest. They wanted to put in their mouth into it. >> Right. >> But he was he was literally fine detective. >> Okay. Um so we're talking about now probably 2 2:30 time frame. Um when you guys are playing how long would you say y'all played in the living room floor with the blocks? M not very long honestly cuz that's when everything like I turned around went to go get Philly bottle and well not Philly just straight >> and that's when everything went wrong but there was no Legos behind him nothing he it was just a really big thud on the ground and I was like >> okay and then I ran over to SJ and noticed that he was >> So was he crying before you heard the thud? Yes, he was. He was throwing a fit because I wouldn't pick him up and I had to go make him a bottle. >> Okay. So, the the what what kind of liquid was were you going to give him? Were you going to give him water, milk, juice? >> Some water. >> Some water. Okay. Um, when you said you heard the thud, how far would you estimate that you were from him? >> Here's my island. right over there and this little corner. He walked into my house. There's like this table with a couch. >> Yeah. >> He was there and then the island's like over here. Walked up to it, pulled open the ref my refrigerator door and then grabbed the milk, took the load off and then I don't I don't know. It It all happened too fast and none of it made sense. >> Okay. Detective Casillas and I had gone down to to Cook Children's, spoke to Felicity or Philly as you refer to her. Um, we talked to a couple doctors. Um, obviously we're still just like I'm sure you are waiting to hear about it. Little SJ, >> um, trying to find out his condition. I just want you to know that I'm about as laid-back and as understanding as probably anybody in this entire building. Okay? I know that everybody makes mistakes. I know that nobody's perfect. Parents especially make mistakes. We're all parents. We all have kids. >> [clears throat] >> I just want to give you the the understanding that I'm here for you. Okay? All I'm asking is that you're 100% truthful with me. And if there was something that maybe got out of hand, if there was an accident, if something happened in a different in a different way than what we were originally told, I just want you to be truthful to me. I know this was a traumatic event for you, for Felicity, for the firefighters that were on scene working on them, for the paramedics, for some of the people at the ER, for some of the nurses at Cooks. It's a traumatic event. Nobody wants to see a 10-month-old in that kind of shape. Okay? I just want you to be able to get anything and everything off your chest if you need to and help me understand exactly what happened because I'll be the first to tell you your story. I've been told by two medical doctors does not explain his injuries. >> That's literally what happened. Sir, I'm sorry they don't believe me, but I right hand out the Bible. No one lied. >> Okay? I swear on my daughter. If y'all want me to trade my daughter to y'all, then I guess that's what I would do. >> Well, that I would hope no parent would do that, honestly. Um, but we've gotten several inconsistencies from from our investigation. Like I said, you're walking out of here regardless what you tell me. Okay. He is he's in pretty bad shape. >> I know. I know. what has happened to me. And I literally cried whenever I found out cuz I just don't understand. He was literally fine. >> Fine. I literally had two blocks in his head and I don't know. Roll back. >> Okay. So, you you brought the blocks up. I'm glad you did. I talked to the firefighters uh that were that were first on scene. I talked to all four of them yesterday. They told me there were no blocks in the living room floor. Yes, there was. >> I I wasn't there. >> But I remember you were right. >> The firefighters told me they didn't see any blocks. >> Granted, they were focused on the child. I understand that. Things were moving at warp speed at that time cuz everybody's trying to get there and get the get the kid help and get them assessed. Right. >> They said there were no blocks in the living room floor. They said your house was very clean compared to a lot of the other trailers in that area that they've been to. I like to keep my house clean for one, but I always have baby toys and blocks all over my floor. Like if you move my dog pegs and look underneath the couch, there's some toys down there. If you look on my other couch, you'll see some toys there. There was toys in my in my living room. >> Okay. So, I understand from when the paramedics, the firefighters, and the couple police officers that were there, when they all left, I'm assuming you guys cleaned up, right? >> Mason did whenever he got home from work. >> Okay. So when he cuz obviously by the time we went back over there and took photos of your of your house, there were no blocks in the living room floor. They were all in Sawyer's room. Do you know how he collected all those blocks out of the floor >> and put them in Sawyer's room? >> Well, it wasn't that much either. It was probably like four blocks, but whenever I go in there, I like scoop some up and just There you go. >> Lay them on the floor. >> Yes, sir. >> Okay. Well, you just told me there were like 35 blocks on the floor whenever >> No, I just said blocks were on the floor. >> Right. Right. We're not we're not we're not arguing that there there were blocks on the floor, >> right? >> You told me there were only like four blocks on the floor that you guys had to pick up and go put in Sawyer's room. >> We had to pick them up to go put them back in Sawyer's room, but there were blocks everywhere. >> Okay. So, why would four firefighters that don't know you from Adam, if they don't know me from Adam, why would they say they didn't see any blocks or any toys in the living room floor? >> I I don't know, detective. I loved AJ with my whole entire heart. I would never hurt him. I can't even hurt my little baby girl. I can't. They were both saving grace in my life that I don't deserve. I didn't I didn't deserve my daughter at all or my son for not saying I didn't. >> Watch what the detective does with the blocks. He never asks whether there were any. He waits for her to raise them herself. Tells her he's glad she did and only then produces the firefighters. She has now put the blocks into her account and taken them out of it. 20 minutes ago, there was no Legos behind him. Nothing. Just now I literally had two blocks in his head. He had spoken to all four firefighters the day before. He held that while she counted a lot, more than 10, 35, and then 2 minutes later, four. Her sentences change shape, too. In the first interview, she described here. She argues, "I wasn't there, but I'm right." And note what he still has not shown her. He came into this room with a doctor's report in front of him and has not read one line of it out loud. Um, going back to SJ on Monday afternoon, um, did you call 911 first or did you call, um, Philly first? >> I called Philly first and I said, "Hey, I need you to hurry and get to my house and like I didn't have enough time to keep talking, so I hung up on her and I called 911." And the 911 people, they got to my house before Felicity did. >> Okay. What What was the conversation with Felicity on the phone? You said you told her to hurry up and get to your house. What What were you telling her? >> I was telling her to hurry up and get to the house cuz it was about SJ. >> Okay. What did you tell her about SJ? >> I said, "I don't know." I said, "I don't know, bro. He's not breathing. His lips are turning purple and like she drops everything and farts like just runs to her car." >> Okay. And you said you did CPR and you you talked Monday about the two fingers. If I go grab a doll real quick, can you show me how um how you how you held them and how you did it? >> Yeah. >> Okay, let me grab a doll right there. And how you did it? >> Yeah. >> Okay, let me grab a doll right there. >> That way it'll give us a better understanding. >> Can I ask you some questions? >> Sure. >> When you said there was blocks in the living room, was it just the floor? Did you put like a >> I don't I don't have carpet, so it is all hardwood floor. >> Okay. See, but you didn't put like a blanket or anything down or like a playmat. >> So, it's just the blocks. >> Yeah. >> Okay. [snorts] >> Is that how you always put them there? >> Yeah, that's how I So, never a rug or a blanket under him. >> Okay. >> So, this is a doll that we use. Um, it's actually pretty life size. It's pretty It's about the standard size for a baby. Okay. So, I'll hand this to you if you can. If you can show me how he was sitting on the floor. If you want to use If you want to use this desk right here, this probably better here. Use this desk. Show me how he was sitting on the floor in the living room and then how he fell back. >> So, you're sitting up. Yeah, he was sitting up just like this and then all of a sudden he just fell backwards. >> Okay. >> And then I ran to him, stopped everything I was doing and then um ran to him, started doing CPR and I just >> Was he flat on the ground? Were you holding him? Anything flat on the ground just like this? >> Yes. >> Okay. [snorts] So, how how were you where was your body compared to his? Were you at the feet? Were you next to him? >> I was hovering over him. >> Okay. And what what were you doing as far as CPR? Were you doing mouth? Were you doing um the mouth? >> No, I don't have one of those things that cover the mouth. I only know how to do CPR. >> Okay. And and demonstrate how you were doing CPR. >> Two fingers in the center of the chest. >> How long did you do that for? >> I sang the song Staying Alive until I'm done singing it. >> Which is what they train you in CPR classes. Okay. So, it's about like a what two 10 2 30 minutes long or maybe 3 minutes long. >> Okay. Um, anything anything else that you can remember uh being on the floor with with SJ? >> No, sir. I mean, yeah, I really don't. Like, he was just I turned on his side and I like got all the like sal. >> Okay. So I it was just a very hard moment that night, >> right? I I understand. I appreciate that. Um going back to what I was saying earlier about me being pretty pretty laidback. I'm an understanding parent. She's an understanding parent. She's probably more understanding than I am. Every parent [clears throat] has their flaws. Every parent gets tired of their children at one point. Every parent gets frustrated with their children at one point. I know on Monday you told me that you think of SJ as your own child, but you guys are pretty close, right? And you refer to to yourself as your aunt and SJ as your nephew. Even though that's not the case, that's how close you are to him, right? So, from what I understand, he was fussy on Saturday, he was fussy on Sunday. Was he pretty fussy on Monday? >> A little bit. Yeah. Not as bad as it was on Sunday. >> Okay. So, Sunday was pretty bad fussy. Okay. So, it would be understandable as a parent. Now, if I weren't a parent, I wouldn't understand. But like I said, all three of us in this room right now are parents. It's pretty understandable to maybe lose your temper or to get onto your kids if they won't stop crying, if they won't stop getting into something, if they are not listening. That's understandable, right? Okay. If SJ is crying and being fussy and he's fighting his naps and he's not cooperating, I can understand how a parent would be pretty frustrated, if not lose their temper a little bit. Does this sound Does this sound familiar? I mean, is is that something that may have happened? >> No, sir. I just I No. No, sir. >> Okay. Couple things real quick. I mean, there's nothing wrong with losing your temper on your kid when they're draining every ounce of energy out of you, you know? I mean, it's understandable. And any parent would tell you there's times that, "My kid drives me up the freaking wall." She'll tell you, "Her kids drive her up the freaking wall. I've got a redhead. She drives me up the freaking wall." It's understandable. No parent is going to tell you, "My kid is perfect and I love my kid and our family is perfect." Nobody will tell you that. I guarantee it. No parent will tell you that. Cuz that's pretty safe to say with you and Sawyer, right? I'm sure Sawyer is not a little perfect angel. >> Not really. >> Okay. We're not perfect. I'm not saying you are. I'm not saying we are. But it's understandable if coming from a parent's point of view. If something were to happen, hey, I think I lost my temper. He wouldn't quit crying. She wouldn't quit crying. Whatever the case is, here's what I did. If something like that happened, I need to know. Help me understand. I want to help you. If something truly happened, I just want to help. Okay, you're rocking out of here. Doesn't matter what you tell me, you're rocking out of here. But I need There's a lot that's not adding up. I'll be honest with you. I'm not going to sugarcoat [ __ ] I'm not going to beat around the bush. There's a lot that's not adding up, >> right? And I 100% agree with you. Like, it don't make sense at all. I don't I don't know. >> Okay. We're and I know you said you you had some uh you had PTSD, depression, anxiety, and bipolar one. Um [snorts] but you're taking medications for that, right? >> Yes. >> Everything's under control. You're not having any problems like it sounds like your biom is, right? Okay. So, safe to say you've got that under control. Your doctor's got you rolling good. You're you're not having any issues. Correct. Okay. The problem that I'm having is again some of these details are not quite adding up. How are you feeling on Monday? >> I mean I was fine and so a little tired usually and you told me that your normal I actually wrote them down Monday. You told me that the the medications that you take for those um deficiencies were cerakquil >> and lines. >> Lunesta, certuline, hydroxazine, and booperin or bushar. >> The those last three ones you just named off, they're for my depression only. >> Certilline, hydroxazine, and bushar. Those are for your depression. >> Yes. >> Okay. So, today or let me go back to Monday. Monday, had you taken all of those as well? Yes sir. >> As normally prescribed. >> Yes sir. >> Okay. Um today you said you've taken Lunesta Certilline >> and what else? >> Uh oh the hydroxazine. >> Hydroxazine. >> Yes I do hydroxysine and blower both at each night morning and day. >> Okay. As prescribed. >> Yes. As prescribed. Yes. Okay. [snorts and clears throat] You said if you don't take the medication, you would be awire. Explain that to me. What do you mean by that? >> I wouldn't like be all calm. I'd be kind of like jittery. Okay. I might got to go clean here, here, and here. Like say I was off my meds. I'd be coming over here trying to scrape it as well clean. So [clears throat] again, I was just going based off of what you had told me on Monday when we were down at Cook Children's on Tuesday, uh, talking to a doctor. We spoke to a doctor. Her name is Dr. Peeler. She's the, uh, pediatrician that specializes in, um, children's care, um, abuse, child abuse, that kind of thing. >> [snorts] >> Um, we told her exactly what what was what was said that had happened that he had a seizure, fell back, went unresponsive cuz that's what you told us. >> Um, they gave me a report Tuesday and then they gave me a follow-up report yesterday. um says that the impression, which is the the what they've discovered on SJ, was abusive head trauma and suspected child child physical abuse. He's got bilateral subdural hemorrhaging, which is brain bleeds on both sides of his of his head, more so on the left. He had a bruise on the right side of his head. He had a bruise on the middle part of his back. He had pinpointed spots on his right arm. uh seizure-like activity which continued. I mean, he was having seizures while we were there on Tuesday. Um he's got incraanial hemorrhages and seizures. He became unresponsive at the babysitter's home. At this time, this finding is most consistent with trauma. A file backward from a seated position would not explain this significant brain injury in absence of medical condition or traumatic explanation. Findings are very worrisome for abusive head trauma and child physical abuse. So again, they said that they couldn't rule out um at the time medical conditions. So, I brought that up, talked to her, hey, could this have possibly been a a brain aneurysm? Could this have been a grandmouth seizure? She was like, we don't know. We can't rule that out, but it's very very unlikely that that is the cause. Then I get um get a bunch of other we get photos. Actually, the photos right here. So this is him in the bed. That's his head. There's some bruising right here on the right side of the head. These are all the sensors that are placed on his head to prevent from him having major seizures. Okay. These are little pinpoint impressions on his right arm, his upper right arm. This is the bruising about the middle to lower of his back. little to me it looked like linear bruising like a little and she even has a uh she even has a little measuring. This little bruise up top is about 3 in. This bottom one is about six inches. Okay. She then sent me a follow-up report yesterday cuz I was I was worried about little XJ and I'm trying to figure out what the hell happened to him and if he's going to live or die. [snorts] And uh she's very concerned as well. Uh she then sent me some more investigation or some more um follow-up paperwork. His cervical spine is pretty damaged. He's got a high neck sprain. He's uh his C3, four, five, and six are pretty pretty damaged. Um the opthalmology report opthalmology has to do with your eyes, your orbits. They were able to complete an MRI of his eyes. They said there were so many intra pre and subretinal hemorrhages. There were too many to count. They could not see his optic nerves on the MRIs due to so many retinal hemorrhages. Do you know what that means? There was so much bleeding back behind of his eyes because his eyes were so heavily damaged they couldn't even see the optic nerve, the nerve that controls the eyes. >> That's pretty remarkable. That's pretty concerning. That's very concerning. That's damn concerning. Um there's so much pressure on his head that his eyes are he can't even he can't even move his eyes. I mean they're forced straight down basically into his nasal cavity. He's got a high neck sprain. I called, like I said, I talked to Dr. Peeler. [snorts] Basically, there's no way in hell and they they've proven it and she's she's a medical professional. She's a doctor that this is her expertise. There's no way in God's green earth these injuries that SJ has been given is from him having a little minor seizure and falling backwards and hitting his head on that little wooden lenolium floor. Is it possible? Again, I'm not judging you. Everybody has problems. Okay? Is it possible that him and Sawyer were giving you such a hard time Monday? Whether he was crying, whether he was throwing blocks, whether Sawyer was crying, throwing blocks, you were having one of these parental parental moments and you possibly lost your [ __ ] or got got a little overtempered. >> No, sir. I need you to be 100% completely honest with me. >> I am being 100% honest with you. I would never ever ever hurt baby SJ. >> Okay? >> And whenever I was getting updates on him, my [clears throat] heart broke. >> I I I want you to understand this, okay? I'm not here to judge you. I'm not here to talk down on you. I need you to understand the stories that you have given us are complete [ __ ] >> I I telling you this the medical records, his injuries, the stories that we have been told by you, by Mason, are complete [ __ ] I want you to do the right thing for SJ. help me understand what exactly happened in your house [snorts] because if I keep getting lied to, I can't say what the future's going to hold. It's already out all over social media. They only know what they're being told by the media. Okay? Help me understand for you and give a voice for you and especially give a voice for SJ. I don't want you to lie and then something bad happened in the future and everybody out in the city of Witchaw Falls and whoever can see Facebook or social media wants your head on a plaque on the wall because they think you killed a [ __ ] 10-month-old. Help me understand what happened. Maybe I can help explain it. This is a mom taking care of two young kids. She's got mental health issues. She's doing her damn best to stay afloat. She's doing her damn best to take care of her own daughter. She's trying to get She's trying to get inflow of income. She's got a husband. He's busting his ass every day, 8 to 5. She's doing the best that she possibly can do for what the life she has been given and what she's going through herself. You understand what I'm saying? I want just to know the simple truth so I can be a voice for you. For 40 minutes, he has been trading versions of a story with her. Here, he stops trading and starts reading. A bruise on the right side of the head. Linear bruising across the back. One mark 3 in six. Damage through the neck. C3 to C6. An MRI of the eyes with so much blood behind them that the optic nerves could not be seen. And the pediatrician's written impression read out loud in the room, abusive head trauma. Then he takes something away. Every question until now came with an exit attached. An accident, a fall, a moment any tired parent could have. He withdraws it. He tells her the stories are worthless and asks for one thing instead. And listen to what she has done for 40 minutes. Answered in whole finished sentences. No sir, I am being 100% honest with you. Listen to how the next one begins. >> Maybe I did get a little over upset. Well, on Monday kept us >> Okay. You said maybe you did get a little upset on Monday. >> Maybe I did get a little upset and I was already but freaking tired cuz Soyo just wasn't listening and >> Okay, it's understandable. It's not It's not It's not wrong to get upset at kids. >> I know it's wrong to [snorts] >> help me understand what happened. Walk me through. You said maybe you got a little upset. Walk [snorts] me through what happened. >> I was laying him down. I laid him down, gave him his paci, and it was it would be a constant game of going back in there, giving his pacy back in there and go back in giving him his py. And then I [clears throat] don't know, he woke up, they were doing fine, and I I guess I might have hit his head on like the crib or the wall or the ground, maybe. >> Okay. I I don't want you to guess. Okay? I don't want you to guess. Because when you start guessing, you're not telling the truth. I don't want to paint you as a liar. I want to paint you as a damn good mother that is doing the best that she can with what she's got. Okay? [snorts] Tell me. I just want you to tell me exactly what happened. and help me understand what you were going through. Whenever SJ is having a fit, whatever happened in the bedroom, whatever happened in the living room, I want you to be completely honest with me, okay? [snorts] >> The beginning of that day, me and my husband both did have a wedding, but then he wanted to cancel us, so I sad. >> Why did he want to cancel it? >> Cuz we don't have the money right now. Okay. [snorts] >> Hit his head on the crib and I hit his head on the wall. [snorts] Okay. So, using this doll, you said you hit his head on the crib and hit his head on the wall. And we're talking about SJ, correct? Now, did this happen in the living room or Sawyer's bedroom? >> Sawyer's room. Okay. Um, [snorts] oh, well, there's a wall right there next to you. Well, pretend this is SJ. Show me. Show me in your own words what happened. >> I can't. It's a little >> I mean SJ's probably what 30 something pounds. He's pretty pretty big little kid, right? >> He is. He's really heavy. Okay. So, it's understandable. Listen to me. Look at me. It's understandable. You probably lost your [ __ ] You're dealing with two kids. You got enough on your plate as a single or as a mother. You're not single. You have enough on your plate. You've already got drama with Mason. That kind of ups the Annie a little bit. You're frustrated because you're trying to marry the guy that you love. Right now, you got a year and a half old daughter. Now you got a screaming 10-month old kid that won't shut the hell up. It's driving you up the [ __ ] wall. Nobody is going to blame you. Okay, people lose their [ __ ] I don't lose my [ __ ] I'm just trying to just do it. >> It's stressful. Having kids is stressful. I will be the first to tell you. Having more than one is very stressful, especially when it's just you by yourself and you're young. You're what, 20? 22. That's That's a lot of stress on a [snorts] 22-year-old woman on your plate. Adrian, >> so how many times how many times would you say you hit his head on the wall? >> Just just once on the crib just once and then whenever you fell backwards, they're going to fit in the living room and that's when everything went wrong. Okay. So, let's use let's use let's use this table. Say this is the inside of the crib. This is the rail of the crib. >> Was it harder? >> It was not really. >> Okay. Cuz the doctors that we spoke to, they said this is very indicative of shaken baby syndrome. Yes. >> Were you here? Do you want me to tell you what my theory is? And will you tell me if I'm right or wrong? Okay. Let me see the Let me see the doll. Okay. You take the dog out of the crib. He's crying, right? Cuz he doesn't want to take a nap. Am I right? Yes, sir. >> Okay. Why won't you shut up? Why won't you shut up? >> You're frustrated. >> I would never shake though. I was special 100,000%. >> Well, I'm not saying you did. That's just my theory >> because I understand you had a lot on your plate. >> Right. I understand. But I would never ever shake SJ like that. Maybe I might bunk his head on the wall or something like that or try to get over a little stimulated and stuff. >> Okay. >> So, I know he's a little heavy, but I know you're frustrated. And I appreciate you for being honest with me. I really do. That will go a long way. You're still wrapping out of here. Okay. Cuz we still have a lot of follow-ups to do. >> Well, I just wanted to spend the most time with my husband. >> All you want to do is what? >> Just spend time with my husband as much as we can because I don't have my daughter anymore. >> Where's your daughter? >> Grandparents house. >> Her grandparents house? >> Yeah. They won't let me come up there and see her. Back [clears throat] to SJ. How many times, honestly, think, take a minute, think back to when he was giving you a hard time in the bedroom. How many times that his head hit the crib? And how many times did his head hit the wall? >> Well, he never hits his head on the wall. No, but you you >> I did that. But whenever he's sleeping and he starts rolling, he'll hit his head on the other wall. >> Um >> but I only hit his head on the crib once. >> You only hit his head on the crib once. Okay. What about the wall? >> Um not in the same room. It would be in the living room area because that's where my daughter was. >> Okay. Um, but >> have you let me let me kind of stop. Have you taken anything other than your meds today? >> Okay. How many times and where did you hit SJ's head on the wall? Did you Let me stop. You said that you hit SJ's head on the crib in Sawyer's room. Yeah. >> On Sawyer's crib. >> Now, where did the the head contacting the wall take place? We went to we went to the living room because uh Saw wanted to watch a movie and I knew yesterday we were watching a movie too. So I put on TWS for them and that's really it. >> Okay. Um where where did where you didn't you didn't bring up the incident about him hitting the wall. I mean, there was a little hallway outside of Sway's bedroom. So, I want to say this one. >> Okay. Now, hold hold the doll like that's SJ. And show me how you I know you kind of show me here, but how how are you holding him? I mean, how did he hit his head? >> Okay. Was How many times did that happen? >> Only once. >> Okay. Were you screaming at him? Was he screaming? >> He was screaming. >> He was screaming. You weren't screaming at him or anything. I see. >> Okay. So, these injuries were not caused from shaking baby syndrome like everybody else is telling us. >> These injuries and you're telling us these injuries are are caused by you hitting his head on the crib and you hitting his head on the wall. >> Yes, sir. >> Okay. Is there anything else you're leaving out? Because I don't want to paint you as a liar. I want to paint you as being fully cooperative, 100% truthful. That way I can kind of help explain things for you. >> You know what I mean? [snorts] >> Okay. So, you're saying one time on the crib, one time on the wall. >> Yes, sir. >> And let me see. Can you see the doll? And so, basically, you said you were holding him like this and then you [snorts] like threw his head into the ball. >> Well, that's kind of a baby doll. So, his head didn't sling back like that. >> Right. But, but you you said you basically >> like that. >> Yes. >> Or did you like pile drive them? Did you >> No, I didn't like that. Okay. So, at the time, was he screaming? >> Um, yes and no. He was like trying to breathe for air and stuff. >> He was trying to breathe for air and that's when he that's when he thumped him against throw against the wall. >> Yes. But that was before I even called my >> Okay. And that happened in the hallway outside of Sawyer's bedroom. Okay. So, now now that I've got an understanding, cuz I figured there was something that happened. Were there any blocks on the living room floor? >> There was. >> Okay. Yeah. cuz um Sawyer was playing in there and then after thing everything happened I called my husband then he came home and he just started picking things up. >> Okay. Did you tell him exactly what had happened? >> I did. >> You told him about thumping his head against the wall? >> No, I haven't. >> Okay. You just told him the story that you told us. >> Okay. So, after you hit his head on the crib, you hit his head on the wall in the hallway. Now, walk me into the living room. What What was he doing while you were holding him? How what transpired after that? >> He was really He had his head here and we were just sitting down and we were watching Trolls and then he kept on trying to get to my daughter Sawyer. So I sat him down to play box with her and he starts just crying hysterically and I was just telling him I'll be right back. I'll be right back. It's okay. I just need to get you some milk. And then I didn't hear no crying. So then I stopped everything I wanted to do. I turned around and I saw was on the floor. Okay. So, at that point, did you realize, oh [ __ ] I [ __ ] up? >> Yes, sir. >> Like maybe I went a little too far? Yes, sir. >> Okay. So, just to clarify, the story that you told us on Monday night is not the story that happened. >> Yes, sir. >> Okay. Um, [snorts] did Sawyer see this happen? >> Not really. She was She was there when I was doing CPR in Australia. >> Okay. Right. Okay. Okay. So, yeah, we're talking about we're talking about SJ. We're not talking about Sawyer here. We're talking about SJ. When you picked up SJ out of the crib because he was crying and throwing a fit. >> When you hit his head on the crib, did he continue to cry? >> Uh, no. >> No. So, did he stop crying automatically? >> No, he was still kind of like whining in a way cuz he was hungry. >> Okay. So, I go some spaghettiios and then >> Oh, you kind of you're kind of getting off track here. We're we're in Sawyer's room at at the crib. >> Right. >> He was crying in the crib. >> Yes, sir. >> Because he wouldn't take a nap. >> Yes, sir. >> Okay. When you picked him up and you said you hit his head on the crib and you demonstrated it, did he continue to cry after you hit his head on the crib? >> Yes. >> Okay. Was it more of a louder cry now? That's it. It was still about a >> still about the normal. >> Still about normal. >> Okay. When you walked him out of the bedroom into the hallway, did he continue to cry? >> Um, somewhat. >> Okay. And I guess is that the cause for hitting his head on the walls? >> Yes, sir. >> Cuz I know the end goal. You don't want the babies to cry. You want them to stop crying. >> That way you can recollect yourself, >> right? >> Understandable. Completely understandable. [snorts] after you had it sat on the bedroom wall or the the hallway wall. Um was it door frame or a door or was it just a wall? >> Well, it was just a plain sheet rock wall. >> Just a plain sheet rock wall. Okay, thank you for that. Um did he continue to cry after that? >> Yeah, he did. And then he went down to play box with Sawyer and then whenever I came back like didn't even get to make the bottle of course then went back turn around on him and >> so he went downhill pretty quick as soon as you set him down on the living room floor. >> Yes sir. >> Okay. Um other than Sawyer have you cared for any other kids? >> I cared for a lot of kids. I cared for mine but Sawyer is my legal. So, you've cared for your high school friends, kids >> before in the past? >> Before? Has anything like that happened with them? No, >> sir. >> So, you only lost your cool with SJ and no other child? Yes, ma'am. Yes, sir. >> Cuz I I I just want to make sure cuz I don't want I don't want this to make it look like every kid that you've had, >> right, >> you've severely abused or something like that. But also understand that mental illnesses take a large toll on people. I I I 100% understand. I just want to make sure that you're being 100 complet 100 100% completely truthful with me. That way there's not going to be any any further surprises or something that comes up in the future. Anything else that you can think of? >> Did you black out at all? >> No, sir. >> While while this incident in Sawyer's room was going on? >> No, sir. Cuz I would have fell to the ground if I did. >> You would have fell if you blacked out. So you didn't black out? You do you remember everything vividly? Not very vividly, but like bits and pieces here and there. >> Bits and pieces. >> Like I'll dream about it all the time. >> Conscious eating at you. >> Is there anything that um is is it possible you hit his head a different number of times on the crib or the hallway wall? >> Absolutely. >> Okay. And I'm assuming again because I'm not a medical doctor, but after talking to the medical doctor here at United Regional and Dr. Peeler at Cooks, I'm assuming it was a pretty forceful hit. >> I sort of like forcibly hit him like that. I mean, yeah, I did hit his head a couple times, but nothing like that. >> Okay. Anything that you're leaving out that you want to clear the air and get off your chest? Okay. Um, give me a minute. You need a bottle up or anything? Sure. H thing up and I'll be right back. Okay. >> Yeah. Go ahead. >> So, you kind of demonstrated how you hit him. Uh, the first time you showed like the back of his head and then the side of his head, right? Uh, was that just on Monday or were there other days where you hit him as well or something else or was it just Monday when you got lost your temper? Just just Monday. Uh, so then when what I'm trying to ask is when did when did the hitting of his head occur? Did it occur before he took a nap or after he took a nap? >> After he took a nap. So when he woke up >> and he went to pick him up. >> And when you went to pick him up out of the crib, he was fine. >> Okay. So when you picked him up out of the crib, is that when the incident occurred? >> Well, yes and no. Like yes, I was still in there, but yeah, I I did hit his head on the the crib. >> Okay. And then you said the wall coming out, >> part um he's a big boy, so >> big boy. Yeah. [clears throat] So, um, when you hit him or when you hit his head against the crib, uh, I know you showed us how you did it, but I mean, some kind of shaking is involved in there, I think. What didn't you say? >> I don't know. I did. >> So, tell me then talk to me about your dreams. Like how does that replay in? >> It just repl my in my head and when you hit his head on the crib in the wall. That's it. >> Okay. And that's that's all. So no that you can remember. Did you ever shake him when he was maybe sitting down maybe or anything like that? >> He's he's sitting down. He's usually sitting on my feet. >> Okay. [snorts] Okay. >> [snorts] >> Is it possible that maybe you don't remember everything that you did to SJ? >> Could be. >> Could be. [snorts] Okay. Real quick. Um, kind of what I was thinking. Okay. You You're sitting down now. >> Can you stand up? And here, let's move. >> All right. We'll just say this table is the crib. >> Okay. So, this is the whole inside of the crib. The outside of the table are edges. Can you show me while you're standing up holding him and assuming that he's crying right now and being loud? Edges. >> Something like that. >> Okay. just once, right? Yeah. >> On the back of the head. >> Yes. >> Okay. >> And then if you're walking into the hallway, you can use the wall. >> Just >> Okay. What part of his head struck the wall that you remember? >> Uh either his legs. I don't know where it say. So, if you come out of Sawyer's room, if you're in Sawyer's room, like this doorway right here is you're in Sawyer's room. When you go out of the doorway, what direction do you have to turn to go back towards the living room? >> The hallway. The one hallway. >> You have to turn right. >> Mhm. >> So, if you come out of Sawyer's room and you hang a right, you're going towards the living room. What side of the wall was his head making contact with? On the right side or the left side? If the living room's over here? >> His right side. >> So the right side of his head hit the right side of the wall. >> Yes. >> Which now that kind of explains the bruising that they saw at Cooks on the right side of his head? >> Yes, sir. >> Okay. Okay. Is there anything else that you want to add? >> Yes, sir. >> You feel a bit better now? So you don't have to go to lie. Yes, sir. >> Okay. I appreciate that. >> Um, you want to have a seat? Before you kind of lost lost your temper with them, there were no issues. Nothing happened between you and him before the crib incident. >> Yes, sir. >> Okay. You're saying yes? >> Yes. >> You mean yes like something happened or no, nothing happened? >> No, nothing happened. >> Nothing happened. Okay. Um, Mason wanted to talk to me for a sec and then um get you guys out of here. Um, I also want to say thank you. Thank you for being honest and truthful with me. Honesty goes a long way. Okay. Um, we'll work on things. See what happens in the near future with SJ. Yes, sir. >> Obviously, we we want him to survive. That's the most important part. Yes, sir. >> Okay. Um, do you have any questions for us? >> No, sir. >> Okay. Um, how did how did you guys get here? Mason drove. >> He drove. Okay. So, y'all came in one car. >> Okay. Give me a sec. Let me go get Mason. Um, and then Are you comfortable just sitting out in the lobby and hanging out until we're done and then he can take you back to the house? >> All right. Sit tight. Let me go make sure he's still here. >> Sometimes he leaves. >> Yeah. I think we took quite a bit. So, he may have left and so I have to wait for him to come back. [snorts] So, >> thank you for speaking with us today. Again, >> Adrienne Nicole Veter was arrested on June 9th, 2023 and charged with injury to a child. She was held in the Witchah County jail on a $1 million bond. SJ Mitchell never recovered. After doctors determined there was no brain activity, he was taken home to Crowwell, Texas, and he died there in hospice care on June 23rd, 2023. 18 days after he was hurt. The injury charge was dismissed and prosecutors filed murder. The case never reached a jury. On April 15th, 2024, in the 78th District Court in Witchah Falls, Adrienne Veter pleaded guilty. Judge Meredith Kennedy sentenced her to 50 years with 321 days of credit for time already served. District Attorney John Gillespie said the agreement was reached after consulting SJ's family and that the family supported it. Under Texas law, she will not be eligible for parole consideration for 25 years. Shawn Mitchell was 10 months old. He liked trolls and a pacifier and falling asleep on somebody's chest. His mother's words were read aloud in the courtroom that sentenced her. He was defenseless and innocent and the sweetest, happiest boy. If you value real police interrogations, critical moments, and the investigative strategies that uncover the truth, subscribe to Evidence Lab Interrogation and turn on notifications so you don't miss the next interrogation. Until next time, stay observant because in the interrogation room, every word matters.