An Abilene couple is behind bars after being arrested for the tragic death of a toddler who authorities say was starved and then left in a freezing bathroom to die. Mark Anthony Nieves, 32, and Syhtel Lee Limuel, 29, are facing serious charges following an investigation into the January incident that occurred in the 2000 block of Vaughn Street, San Angelo, police reported.
The couple has been slapped with a slew of felonies including aggravated kidnapping and endangering a child. Court documents reveal harrowing details about the alleged prolonged abuse and neglect. A 3-year-old boy, identified only as Josiah, was found by San Angelo police unresponsive and with a body temperature so low that, despite life-saving efforts, he died at the hospital, according to a report by Big Country Homepage.
Further investigation painted a creepier picture of the child's suffering. Autopsy results and medical examinations suggested that Josiah's malnourishment and the severe conditions he was subjected to were a lethal combination. At the time of his death, he was in the 0 percentile for his age, showing a significant drop from previous measurements, which indicated chronic starvation.
An unsettling analysis of text messages between Nieves and Limuel suggested they were both aware of the severity of their actions. On multiple occasions, they discussed using food deprivation as a form of punishment, even acknowledging their role in Josiah's declining health. The text exchanges also included admissions of leaving bruises on the child and conversations about the need to hide those marks, as reported by Fox San Antonio. Notably, three videos from the night of Josiah's death showed him in what doctors described as severe distress, a clear sign he needed immediate medical care.
Authorities have charged Limuel with first-degree felony injury to a child causing serious bodily injury, first-degree aggravated kidnapping, and two counts of state jail felony endangering a child. Nieves is charged with multiple felonies, including first-degree injury to a child by omission and third-degree assault on a pregnant person. Both Nieves and Limuel were taken into custody on Wednesday, and the Abilene Police underscored that the investigation remains active.
