A 2-month-old baby in Texas was placed in medically induced coma after allegedly being tossed around and stomped on by older siblings while the child's mothers were away partying at a hotel, authorities say.
Background
The incident occurred in Smith County when Sidney Whitt, 21, and Jacqulun Morales, 29, allegedly left their three children—a 6-year-old, a 4-year-old, and the 2-month-old infant—alone in a locked bedroom before departing to drink alcohol and use drugs with a man at a local hotel. The mothers placed the children under the supervision of Morales' 18-year-old sister, Shelby Munoz, according to a police press release obtained by KLTV.
Investigators say Whitt and Morales departed for several hours, leaving Munoz in charge of the children despite her young age. When the older siblings allegedly began assaulting the infant, Munoz did not intervene. She later told detectives she didn't stop the abuse because the children "were not hers" and she didn't believe their safety was her responsibility, KLTV reports.
The Investigation
According to the Smith County Sheriff's Office press release, Child Protective Services and hospital staff notified police on June 18 after medical personnel discovered extensive injuries to the infant. Doctors found that the baby had been tossed around and stomped on repeatedly until the child began experiencing seizures and suffering a brain bleed. Extensive facial bruising was also reported by physicians who treated the child.
When Whitt and Morales returned home, they allegedly found their infant severely injured but did not seek medical attention until the following day. A search of the residence revealed deplorable living conditions: no air conditioning, an infestation of flies, and floors heavily littered with rat feces, diapers, and clothing, according to investigators.
Munoz was arrested last Tuesday along with Morales. Whitt was taken into custody on Thursday. All three suspects were charged with child endangerment and injury to a child—charges that carry a maximum penalty of up to 20 years in prison under Texas law if convicted. Each suspect is being held on a $250,000 bond for each charge.
Key Takeaways
- The 2-month-old victim remained on a ventilator in a medically induced coma as of Friday, according to the Smith County Sheriff's Office
- Police say the infant suffered seizures and brain bleeding after being allegedly assaulted by older siblings left unsupervised
- All three suspects—two mothers and an 18-year-old relative—are charged with child endangerment and injury to a child
- Investigators discovered the home lacked air conditioning and was infested with flies, with floors covered in rat feces, diapers, and clothing
- The suspect who watched the children allegedly told police she didn't intervene because they "were not hers"
What's Next
All three suspects remain in custody at the Smith County Jail. Formal arraignment dates have not yet been set. The case has been referred to the district attorney's office for prosecution. CPS officials say they are working with the family and monitoring the situation, though the infant's long-term prognosis remains unclear as of this report. A court-appointed guardian has likely been assigned to represent the child's interests in any future proceedings.
The investigation is ongoing, and authorities have not ruled out additional charges.