Daniel Logan, a 39-year-old man from Georgetown, Texas, has been arrested for the alleged beating of Jeremy Tang-Diaz, his 6-year-old neighbor. The incident occurred on September 11 at around 5 a.m. in the 300 block of Rock Mill Loop.
Daniel Logan beats neighbor Jeremy Tang-Diaz, 6, with baseball bat
Logan reportedly entered the child’s bedroom and attacked him with a baseball bat. Authorities say the violent act was random.
The child is still in critical care 13 days after the attack because of brain damage. Unconscious, Jeremy also suffered some fractures to the skull. Sources say that even though he has been in a coma for a while, he is still making progress and recovering well.
The Williamson County Sheriff’s Office quickly put out a statement to reassure locals and say that the public was no longer in danger.
It read: “Through investigation, detectives determined that Logan forced entry into a home armed with a baseball bat and assaulted two individuals, including a six-year-old child. Both victims were taken to area hospitals for treatment.”
Daniel Logan also hit his mother, Cynthia Logan
The second victim mentioned in the statement is Logan’s own mother, Cynthia Logan, who is 65 years old. The mom was covered in blood, according to official reports. She was reportedly trying to stop her child from attacking the young neighbor.
Moreover, at some point, she “frantically screamed that Daniel was killing everyone inside.”
Daniel Logan is facing two first-degree felonies. He was charged with injury to a child and aggravated assault with a deadly weapon against a family member.
Logan’s lawyer, Marc Chavez, pushes mental illness angle
His lawyer, Marc Chavez, is asking the public not to judge him before hearing the full story. Chavez said, “Our hearts and prayers go out to the young boy as well as his family during this trying time. While the allegations sound troubling, we ask everyone to reserve judgment until all the facts come to light especially while we investigate issues related to serious mental illness. Until that time comes, we will continue to hope for the best of [recovery] for the young boy.”
Daniel Logan’s wife is the one who called the authorities. She told them that loud noises woke her up, and she started looking for her husband. The noise eventually led her to the neighbor’s house.
The community is rallying around the child’s family. Laila Dabbakeh and the boy’s father, Arturo Diaz, have set up a GoFundMe page asking for help of any kind.
Community launches fundraisers for Jeremy
The fundraiser states that he is “currently fighting for his life after a horrifying attack that left him in critical condition. But together, we can be the ray of hope that he so desperately needs.”
The page describes young Jeremy as “a bright, vibrant child with a heart full of dreams and a future brimming with potential.”
It also says that the attack left the Central Texas child “with severe injuries and a long, uncertain road to recovery.” The fundraiser had an initial goal of $250,000, and it is nearing the milestone with $246,807 as of Sunday. The new goal is now $297,000.
An update on the page of this fundraiser reads: “When a child is subjected to such a vicious attack while peacefully sleeping in the safety of their own bed within their own home, words can hardly suffice to convey the depth of this tragedy.”
The Austin Chinese-American Network has also launched its own fundraiser with $250,000 as the top objective. So far, the organization has raised $91,229.
Members of the community want answers
Its president, Hugh Li, is looking for answers because some people in the area believe that there might be more to the story.
Li explained: “All these community members are pulling for Jeremy, and things are actually turning in the right direction.”
Jeremy is a martial arts enthusiast. The Georgetown gym of Team Rabadi Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu & Muay Thai says he “epitomizes the virtues a martial artist and a great leader should embody.”
The company’s statement also reads: “Jeremy, in his quiet leadership and gentle spirit, leaves an indelible mark on all those fortunate enough to interact with him. If you have ever met him, you would have noticed Jeremy’s unfailing kindness towards everyone he encounters.”
The community is rallying around the family and praying for the best. Officials say it will take time to get clear answers.
However, some issues, like race and mental illness, are never too far away.
