Three women in Texas, US, have been arrested after a 2-month-old baby was thrown and had its head stomped on by older children, leaving the infant with a brain bleed and in a medically induced coma. The suspects are Sidney Whitt, 21, Jacqulun Morales, 29, and Shelby Munoz, 18.
Children Left Locked in Bedroom While Women Partied
According to local affiliates KLTV and KYTX, Whitt and Morales allegedly left their children—ages 6, 4, and 2 months—locked in a bedroom while they partied at a hotel with a man, using alcohol and drugs. Munoz, Morales' sister, was left in charge but also locked the children in the room, police said.
While the women were out, the older children reportedly flung the baby around and stomped on its head until the infant began having seizures. Doctors found extensive facial bruising and a brain bleed.
Medical Response and Investigation
Whitt and Morales returned home to find the baby seriously injured but did not seek medical help until the next day, according to investigators. The child was flown to Dallas for emergency specialist care and placed on a ventilator in a medically induced coma.
Child Protective Services notified police of the incident on June 18, prompting an investigation by the Smith County Sheriff's Office. The home was described as in terrible condition: lacking air conditioning, infested with flies, and littered with rat feces, diapers, and clothing.
Charges and Arrests
Munoz allegedly told detectives she didn't intervene because the children "were not hers" and she didn't believe she was responsible for their safety. Munoz and Morales were arrested on June 23, and Whitt on June 25. All three face charges of child endangerment and injury to a child, with a $250,000 bond set for each charge.
