A Texas mother now faces the most serious of charges after her three-year-old son, Dawson Zamora, succumbed to injuries sustained in a horrific alleged assault. Chelsea Berg, 30, is accused of playing a role in the events that led to Dawson’s death in Amarillo, a tragedy unfolding over nearly two months of desperate struggle.
Dawson had been fighting for his life since an alleged attack in October, suffering catastrophic brain damage, a severe brain bleed, and extensive bruising. Investigators believe the injuries were the result of abuse, a chilling revelation that prompted an initial charge of injury to a child by omission against Berg. That charge has now been elevated to capital murder.
The case took a particularly heartbreaking turn as Dawson’s death occurred on his father, Dahrian Zamora’s, birthday. Zamora held his son as he took his final breaths, finding a fragile peace amidst the overwhelming grief. He expressed gratitude that Dawson’s suffering was finally over, a small comfort in the face of unimaginable loss.
Christopher Alexander, Berg’s ex-convict boyfriend, is also charged with capital murder. He brought Dawson to the hospital on October 14th, claiming the child had fallen, but medical professionals immediately recognized inconsistencies between the explanation and the severity of the injuries. Alexander had been wearing an ankle monitor due to a separate stalking indictment, a fact Berg was reportedly aware of.
Zamora, who was granted custody of both Dawson and his daughter Harper after the initial hospitalization, shared his raw anguish on social media. He stated plainly: “My son didn’t have to die. This could have been prevented.” He believes a forthcoming six-page arrest affidavit will reveal the full extent of Berg’s alleged involvement in the tragedy.
The father’s pain is compounded by the knowledge that Dawson lingered for weeks, enduring intensive care, before finally succumbing to his injuries. CT and MRI scans, Zamora says, revealed evidence of “prior abuse,” suggesting this was not an isolated incident. He feels Dawson deliberately held on until his father’s birthday, a final, heartbreaking gift.
Alexander, with a prior criminal record including theft and unlawful restraint, was initially arrested on charges of injury to a child and tampering with evidence. The upgrade to capital murder reflects the gravity of Dawson’s injuries and the evolving understanding of the events leading to his death. Both Berg and Alexander now face the possibility of the death penalty if convicted.
While grappling with the loss of his son, Zamora is focused on Harper, who is adjusting to a new school while struggling to comprehend the absence of her brother. He is now preparing for the unimaginable task of burying his three-year-old child, a burden no parent should ever have to bear.
