Houston man admits beating mom, taking her dentures

Christopher Harding: Charged with with injury to a disabled person. Christopher Harding: Charged with with injury to a disabled person. Image 1 of / 1 Caption Close Houston man admits beating mom, taking her dentures 1 / 1 Back to Gallery

A Houston man was sentenced to three years probation after pleading guilty Wednesday to beating up his disabled mother and taking her dentures.

Christopher Harding, 23, was sentenced to deferred adjudication by state District Judge Randy Roll after admitting he grabbed her by the throat, pushed her down and hit her in the face.

"The defendant then used his free hand to pull out her upper dentures causing additional pain," court records show.

Harding's attorney, Paul D. Valdivieso, said Harding was his disabled mother's caretaker and the two were arguing when the fight broke out on Feb. 10.

He said Harding took responsibility after being charged with injury to a disabled person, a state jail felony that carries a maximum of two years behind bars. Valdivieso also said Harding would return the dentures or pay $500 in restitution.

Under deferred adjudication, Harding won't have a conviction on his record if he successfully completes probation.

brian.rogers@chron.com