Current:Home > NewsMom, stepdad of 12-year-old Texas girl who died charged with failure to seek medical care -Streamline Finance
Mom, stepdad of 12-year-old Texas girl who died charged with failure to seek medical care
View
Date:2025-04-12 20:00:44
A 12-year-old Texas girl died after her mother and stepfather refused to seek medical assistance when she was suffering from life-threatening injuries, authorities said.
On Monday, deputies with the Atascosa County Sheriff's Office launched an investigation into the death of the girl, later identified as Miranda Sipps. The girl's 36-year-old mother, Denise Balbaneda, and 40-year-old stepfather, Gerald Gonzales, were ultimately charged with injury to a child causing serious bodily injury omission, according to Sheriff David Soward.
The investigation began when the sheriff's office received a report from her mother about the child needing medical assistance at around 8:00 p.m. They instructed Balbaneda to stop her car on the highway so that first responders could meet them.
When they got to the scene, Miranda was unconscious but alive, Soward said. She was taken to a local hospital, where she succumbed to her injuries. Miranda was a cheerleader at Jourdanton Jr. High School.
"The Jourdanton ISD is currently dealing with the tragic loss of one of our Jr. High students," the school district said in a statement on Wednesday. "Jourdanton ISD has a School Crisis Team made up of professionals trained to help with the needs of students, parents/caregivers, and school staff at difficult times such as this."
Child Deaths:Florida dad accused of throwing 10-year-old daughter out of car near busy highway
Parents 'confessed' to not getting child medical treatment, sheriff says
During their investigation, authorities determined that Miranda had received severe life-threatening injuries just days prior that weren't treated.
"The investigation revealed the parents failed to seek medical assistance for the girl, even though she was mentally and physically incapacitated and non-responsive," Soward said in a statement. "It appears the mother finally called 9-1-1 when the girl went into respiratory distress."
At a news conference shared by KSAT, Soward said that it's unclear how the child got her injuries, and an autopsy is underway.
"She was not talking," Soward said. "She basically could flutter her eyes and move her hands a little bit over a four day period. They had her laying on a pallet in the house."
Gonzales and Balbaneda were taken into custody without incident on Tuesday from their home in Christine, which is about 53 miles from San Antonio.
Soward also told reporters that the parents "basically confessed" to not getting her treatment. He added that although she didn't get medical attention, "they were trying to give her smoothies, but someone who is unconscious is not able to swallow."
Taylor Ardrey is a news reporter for USA TODAY. You can reach her at tardrey@gannett.com.
veryGood! (6)
Related
- Police remove gator from pool in North Carolina town: Watch video of 'arrest'
- Yale police union flyers warning of high crime outrage school, city leaders
- Federal Regulators Raise Safety Concerns Over Mountain Valley Pipeline in Formal Notice
- House panel subpoenas senior IRS officials over Hunter Biden tax case
- The FTC says 'gamified' online job scams by WhatsApp and text on the rise. What to know.
- Chicago woman arrested for threatening to kill Trump and his son
- New president of Ohio State will be Walter ‘Ted’ Carter Jr., a higher education and military leader
- Royals unveil proposed ballpark and entertainment district plans for 2 locations
- Costco membership growth 'robust,' even amid fee increase: What to know about earnings release
- Whitney Port, 'Barbie' and the truth about 'too thin'
Ranking
- Which apps offer encrypted messaging? How to switch and what to know after feds’ warning
- Charity Lawson Isn't the Only One With a Rosy Future—Check In With the Rest of Bachelor Nation
- Partial blackout in L.A. hospital prompts evacuation of some patients
- Demi Lovato, Karol G and More Stars Set to Perform at 2023 MTV Video Music Awards
- Residents in Alaska capital clean up swamped homes after an ice dam burst and unleashed a flood
- Woman admits bribing state employee to issue driver’s licenses without a road test
- Woman, 2 men killed in Seattle hookah lounge shooting identified
- Rays shortstop Wander Franco put on administrative leave as MLB continues investigation
Recommendation
Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear ready to campaign for Harris-Walz after losing out for spot on the ticket
Books We Love: Book Club Ideas
Love Is Blind: After the Altar Season 4 Trailer Reveals Tense Reunions Between These Exes
NBA fines James Harden over comments that included calling 76ers' Daryl Morey 'a liar'
Jamaica's Kishane Thompson more motivated after thrilling 100m finish against Noah Lyles
Biden administration spending $150M to help small forest owners benefit from selling carbon credits
Dick Van Dyke learns ukulele at age 97: 'Never too late to start something new'
Tropical Storm Harold path: When and where it's forecasted to hit Texas