Texas
Texas man sentenced to life in prison for starving, beating his 6 children
Photo credit: RICHARD BOUHET/AFP via Getty Images
COLLIN COUNTY, Texas – A 28-year-old Princeton man was sentenced to life in prison after pleading guilty to repeatedly beating and starving his six young children, leaving some with permanent scars and severe malnutrition, authorities said.
What we know:
Kevin Dixon was sentenced on seven counts of injury to a child causing serious bodily injury, Collin County District Attorney Greg Willis announced.
District Judge Kim Laseter sentenced Dixon to life in prison on five counts related to physical abuse and 25 years on two counts related to malnourishment.
Due to a prior felony conviction, Dixon faced a punishment ranging from 15 to 99 years, or life in prison on each count.
What they’re saying:
Authorities said the abuse came to light after the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services contacted the family in February 2025.
Five of the children, all under age 10 and as young as two, had numerous marks and permanent scars and appeared severely underweight for their ages.
According to officials, the agency had previously warned Dixon in 2021 about failing to provide adequate living conditions and using excessive discipline.
“This father brutally beat and starved his own young children, some toddlers, leaving permanent scars and lasting trauma,” Willis said in a statement. “A tough sentence, like life in prison, is what it takes to protect vulnerable kids and ensure those who inflict such harm face full accountability.”
Local perspective:
After seeing the children’s condition in 2025, officers with the Princeton Police Department opened an investigation.
The children were interviewed at the Children’s Advocacy Center of Collin County, where they described being deprived of food and repeatedly struck with belts and cords, including one child who was beaten for taking a candy bar.
One detective documented extensive injuries and scarring on the children, including the 2-year-old, officials said.
The backstory:
Dixon, who had a prior 2015 robbery conviction for which he served prison time, pleaded guilty to all seven counts.
He will serve life sentences on the five counts involving physical abuse and 25-year sentences on the two counts involving malnourishment.
The Source: Information in this article was provided by Collin County officials.
AUSTIN, Texas — Criticism is mounting over the threat to withhold public safety grants from Austin and other major Texas cities, with opponents arguing the move is politically motivated as both the governor and attorney general seek office this year.
“Defunding the public safety for political reasons was wrong when the Democrats did it; still wrong when the Republicans do it,” the former executive director of the Combined Law Enforcement Associations of Texas, Charley Wilkison, wrote on X.
Criticism is mounting over the threat to withhold public safety grants from Austin and other major Texas cities, with opponents arguing the move is politically motivated as both the governor and attorney general seek office this year. (Photo: CBS Austin)
The statement came hours after Governor Greg Abbott threatened to cut $2.5 million in public safety funding to Austin. The governor expressed opposition to Austin’s decision to update its policy governing how police handle administrative warrants used by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement in immigration detentions.
“The city has updated its general orders to align with state and federal law and also to protect the Fourth Amendment of Austin residents who should be free from unlawful search and seizure,” said Austin City Councilmember Mike Siegel.
ALSO| Gov. Abbott threatens to withhold $2.5 million from Austin regarding APD ICE policies
KEYE
Houston and Dallas are also facing similar threats from the governor.
“The statement from the governor’s office was really disappointing and frankly it’s wrong on the law and it’s wrong on what’s good for public safety,” Siegel said.
In a statement provided in response to a request for an interview, the Combined Law Enforcement Associations of Texas said, “Law enforcement officers continue to be dragged into political warfare while real public safety issues are ignored.”
The president of the Austin Police Association did not respond to a request for comment regarding the potential impact on officers.
A request for comment to the governor’s office received a previously issued statement from Abbott’s press secretary, which read: “A city’s failure to comply with its contract agreement with the state to assist in the enforcement of immigration laws makes the state less safe. It can have deadly consequences. Cities in Texas are expected to make the streets safer, not more deadly.”
Siegel defended the city council’s position, stating, “I can speak for myself as one of 11 voting members of our city council. We’re not going to sell our values for a couple million dollars in public safety grants.”
Warm, humid and windy conditions continue for North Texas on Friday as air flow from the south pulls in Gulf moisture. Mostly cloudy skies are in store, with highs in the low 80s and wind gusts up to 35 mph.
Overnight, storms will approach the region from the northwest, most likely arriving in North Texas between 3 and 7 a.m. The system will bring scattered showers and thunderstorms, with the potential for some stronger storms capable of wind gusts up to 60 mph and small hail.
The rain will continue for most of Saturday morning. North Texas will dry out from north to south in the afternoon.
The front also brings a steep drop in temperatures, with highs on Saturday topping out in the low to mid-60s.
Temperatures on Sunday morning will drop into the 40s, but sunshine will return in the afternoon with highs in the 70s.
Next week will start off with highs in the 70s and a chance of rain on Tuesday before temperatures rise into the 80s again.
FILE-In this photo illustration, a 1040 Individual Income Tax Return document is seen on a desk on April 15, 2024 in North Haledon, New Jersey. (Photo illustration by Michael Bocchieri/Getty Images)
In a year of record-breaking tax returns, a new study finds that Texas is seeing the second-largest average returns in the nation.
Upgradedpoints.com found that the national average is nearly $3,600, but Texas residents are seeing nearly a thousand more than that this year. They used numbers from the IRS in conducting the study.
Texas-sized tax returns
By the numbers:
In Texas, the average refund was $4,344, slightly below the average in Florida, which leads the nation at $4,433. The state had the second-largest overall filing volume: 13.6 million returns filed and over 9.7 million (71.3%) receiving a refund, the study found.
The Texas county with the highest average return was Shackelford County, located west of the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, at $7,375. Most wage brackets saw returns closer to average, with those earning $50-$100K per year averaging $4,249. However, their average appears to have been imbalanced by the $200K+ earners, who saw an average refund of $105,163.
What is the penalty for filing taxes late?
Dig deeper:
The failure to file penalty applies if you didn’t file your tax return by the due date (including extensions).
By the numbers:
The penalty is 5% of your unpaid taxes for each month that a return is late, up to 25% of the total unpaid, for individuals and most business tax returns, according to the IRS.
You’ll know if you owe a penalty because you’ll receive a notice letter from the IRS.
2026 tax brackets
Your tax filing could also look different next year if your tax bracket is adjusted. Keep that in mind if you plan to switch jobs, or earn or lose some income.
Because of inflation adjustments, income thresholds for the two lowest brackets rose by about 4%, while higher brackets increased by roughly 2.3% compared with 2025 levels.
READ MORE: 2026 tax brackets vs. 2025: Here’s what’s changed, other things to know
2026 tax deduction
For tax year 2026, the standard deduction increased to $32,200 for married couples filing jointly. For single taxpayers and married individuals filing separately, the standard deduction rose to $16,100 for tax year 2026, and for heads of households, the standard deduction will be $24,150.
2027 tax filing season
Consult a tax professional now if you have any questions or concerns about your tax-filing situation come January 2027.
The Source: Information in this article comes from upgradedpoints.com and previous FOX Local reporting.
12 Amazing West Virginia Day Trips That Are Worth The Drive
Wyoming’s Indigenous students can now apply for new UW scholarship
Finance Committee approves an average increase of University tuition by 3.6 percent
‘Not what the fitness industry is trying to sell you’: this is the one simple move everyone really needs to be doing, according to an exercise scientist
Thimmarajupalli TV Movie Review: A grounded rural drama that works better in the second half
Florida High School Football Rankings: Top 25 teams – Oct. 21
How old is Bo Nix? What to know about Oregon quarterback ahead of 2024 NFL Draft
Cleary's 21 help Le Moyne down Central Connecticut State 69-64 in OT
99th annual Pony Swim held in Virginia
Indiana Members Credit Union announced as new anchor tenant at Bottleworks District
BBQ lovers beware: Middle East conflict might disrupt your summer plans this year
White House vs the pope: What is behind the Catholic just war doctrine
What’s it like to negotiate with Iran? We asked people who have done it
Grieving mothers scorch Dem lawmaker after he pivots during hearing to attack ‘MAGA Republicans’
Pressure mounts on Peru’s election authorities amid presidential race delay
-
Ohio4 days ago‘Little Rascals’ star Bug Hall arrested in Ohio
-
Arkansas1 week agoArkansas TV meteorologist Melinda Mayo retires after nearly four decades on air
-
Politics4 days agoDem fundraising giant in the hot seat as GOP lawmakers demand answers over dodged subpoena
-
Science4 days ago‘Dr. Pimple Popper’ Sandra Lee had a stroke last fall. Here’s how the TV doc is bouncing back
-
Health1 week agoWoman discovers missing nose ring traveled to her lungs, causing month-long cough
-
Politics7 days agoTrump blasts Spanberger ahead of Virginia meetings, says state faces tax base exodus like New York, California
-
San Francisco, CA6 days agoPresident Trump terminates Presidio Trust
-
Technology1 week agoIs the ‘Holy Grail of batteries’ finally ready to bless us with its presence?