Jimmy Horton's father gives emotional testimony in ex-wife's child abuse trial

TULARE COUNTY (KFSN) -- On Friday, Jimmy Horton's father, James Horton, testified in the trial of his ex-wife, 33-year-old Desie Horton.

She's charged with felony child abuse with a special allegation of willful harm or injury resulting in their son's death.

"He was a great little boy," James Horton said. "I couldn't have asked for anything better."

Jimmy Horton died of injuries to his brain in February of 2014 at the age of four. Desie's boyfriend at the time, Trevor Bishop, has already been convicted of second degree murder and assault on a child causing death.

James Horton says he brought Jimmy everywhere with him-fishing, hunting, and to the barbershop.

"He was my boy," James Horton said. "I gave him my name. There was never a happier day in my life than the day he was born."

He continued to spend time with Jimmy and Jimmy's younger sister after separating with Desie. But he says things changed in December of 2012. That's when Horton says Desie moved into her own house.

He never found out where she lived, and says he didn't get to see his children as often. And though Horton knew about her Trevor Bishop, he says he didn't know he lived with Desie and their children until early March.

He saw his son for the last time on March 10th, and says he fought to see his children after that, fearing something was wrong. On March 21st, Jimmy was brought to Kaweah Delta Urgent Care, unresponsive. He died nearly a year later.

"I think the text messages that I believe are evidence should...how desperately I was trying to reach my children," Horton said.

Desie Horton faces a maximum of ten years in prison if convicted of all the charges.