Texas Dad Allegedly Flees Town After Using Super Glue To Glue Toddler's Eyes, Mouth Shut

A father suspected of gluing shut the eyes and mouth of his toddler-aged daughter was arrested this week following a week-long manhunt that concluded in West Texas.

El Paso County records show 29-year-old Johnnie Lee Carter is being held Wednesday on a charge of injury to a child causing serious bodily injury, a first-degree felony.

On Sept. 16, Odessa police were called to a domestic disturbance where they found the girl, who is a little over one year old, with facial injuries and her mouth and eyes glued. When police responded to the scene, Carter had already fled.

The girl was then taken to the hospital for treatment of her injuries. Hospital officials noticed redness on the child’s neck, KOSA-TV in Odessa reports.

According to an affidavit, the toddler's mother told police that Carter choked and punched the girl before applying the adhesive. A super glue stick was found at the home. It’s unclear what condition the toddler is in.

Police also found another baby, a 2-month-old girl, hidden underneath blankets and pillows in the same room where they found the injured toddler. Carter allegedly put that girl under the pillows and blankets to quiet her crying, the mother told police.

It remains unclear if the younger child also went to the hospital for treatment.

Carter remained a fugitive on the run for over a week. Police asked for help from the public until he was found.

He was eventually arrested Monday after he was discovered at a motel in El Paso by the U.S. Marshals Lone Star Fugitive Task Force. He faces extradition to Odessa, some 270 miles away. He has not yet been arraigned.

Online records didn't list an attorney who can speak on Carter's behalf.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

[Photo: Odessa Police Department]