Three women are behind bars after a 2-month-old Smith County infant was hospitalized with severe head trauma, placed on a ventilator and put into a medically induced coma, authorities said. The baby was airlifted from a Tyler hospital to a Dallas children's facility for specialized treatment and remains in critical condition. Smith County deputies arrested 21-year-old Sidney Whitt, 29-year-old Jacqulyn Morales and 18-year-old Shelby Munoz; investigators say each faces allegations that include endangering a child and injury to a child, with bond set at $500,000.
According to investigators, the case kicked off on June 18 when Child Protective Services and hospital staff contacted deputies after the infant was brought to a Tyler hospital with what were described as abuse-type injuries: brain bleeding, seizures and bruising on the baby’s face, as reported by KLTV. Medical staff later had the baby flown to Children’s Medical Center Dallas for higher-level care.
Allegations and living conditions
When deputies searched the home, they say they found squalid conditions: no air conditioning in the Texas heat, flies everywhere and rat droppings on the floor, with diapers and clothes strewn across the rooms, according to WIS News 10. Investigators say the two mothers left the house on the night of June 16 and put Morales’ sister, Munoz, in charge. Before heading out, the pair allegedly locked the 2-month-old and two other children in a bedroom.
Arrests and charges
While the mothers were away, two older children, ages 4 and 6, allegedly managed to get into the locked bedroom and began tossing the infant and stomping on the baby’s head, according to KLTV. Deputies arrested Munoz and Morales on Tuesday, followed by Whitt’s arrest on Thursday. Investigators say Munoz later told them she did not step in because the children involved were not hers.
What’s next
The investigation is still underway as authorities continue interviewing witnesses and combing through evidence while Child Protective Services and medical staff remain involved, according to WIS News 10. In Texas, prosecutors can pursue charges under statutes such as “injury to a child” and “abandoning or endangering a child,” provisions spelled out in the Texas Penal Code that carry felony penalties and will guide how the case is charged.
Smith County officials have not released additional public records related to the investigation, and anyone with information is asked to contact the Smith County Sheriff’s Office. For more on the sheriff’s office and local contacts, see the Smith County website.
