Man Charged for Abandoning Baby, Felony Vehicle Theft, LIVINGSTON, September 26, 2022 - On September 24, 2022, at approximately 3:30 am the Livingston Police Department received a phone call from Union Pacific Railroad that their train in Livingston had possibly struck an individual laying parallel to the track. Officers arrived on scene and was able to obtain a physical description from the train engineer who stated the individual was a white male, light colored shirt, and medium build. An extensive search by policemen and firemen then began in the area of where the individual was struck. After several hours of walking the entire length of the train, searching the area on foot, and using a drone, the individual was never located. The search did reveal the recovery of a pair of pants, cell phone and boots in the area of where the individual was struck. At approximately 7 am, the search was then completed and the train continued onto its destination.
At approximately 7:30 am, Livingston Police received a phone call from a complaint on Young's Lane stating his vehicle was just stolen from his residence and the suspect was a white male wearing a light-colored shirt in his underwear. Officers arrived on scene and began their investigation into the stolen vehicle and this location was adjacent to the railroad tracks on the east side. After conducting the investigation, the victim’s vehicle was entered as stolen and the suspect could be the individual that was struck by the train earlier.
Later (same day) at approximately 9:30 am, the Livingston Police Department received a 911 call from another residence on Young's Lane, stating they had just found a small infant in their shed behind their residence. After receiving this call, Officers and EMS were notified and arrived on scene to find a small infant female child, approximately 7-8 months old with visible bodily injuries. The crime scene was then processed for biological evidence and the infant was treated and later transferred by medical helicopter to Texas Children’s Hospital in Houston. While still at this residence, processing the scene, Livingston Police were notified by the San Jacinto County Sheriff’s Office that the stolen vehicle had been located and recovered in Coldspring and a white male suspect identified as Clifford Jason Guynes (43) of Splendora was being detained.
The San Jacinto County Sheriff’s Office stated Guynes had visible body injuries and stated he had been struck by a train. The Sheriff’s Office summoned EMS to their scene and Guynes was later transported by ambulance to CHI St Lukes Hospital in Livingston. After Guynes arrived at the hospital, Officers were able to collect more information from Guynes. During the investigation, Guynes stated he had left his daughter in a shed but could not remember where. It is unclear at this time how Guynes’ daughter received her injuries, but Guynes injuries were not life threatening and stated he was struck by the train.
While the investigation was continuing, a green Chevrolet truck was later located in an extremely wooded area near the location of where Guynes was struck by the train. This vehicle was later found to be owned by Guynes who had not mentioned anything about his truck. The vehicle was recovered by a tow truck from the wooded area and was towed to a secure storage facility and searched for further evidence.
Livingston Police have charged Clifford Jason Guynes with felony injury to a child causing serious bodily injury, felony child endangerment/abandonment and felony vehicle theft. Guynes is currently incarcerated in the Polk County jail with bonds totaling over $200,000.00. This investigation will continue and Guynes could be facing more charges.
According to hospital sources, the infant is in stable condition at this time and CPS is involved in the investigation.
An alarmed Katharine McClaine cradles a baby girl she found in a shed on her property (source: FaceBook).
The baby was flown to Texas Children's Hospital in Houston (source: FaceBook).
If you would like to comment on this story, we'd love to hear from you. Email us at pctletters@gmail.com. Be sure to include the story subject in the subject line of your email, also list your name and town in your letter. Your letter will be posted in Letters to the Editor.