Texas – In a disturbing incident in Texas, a 25-year-old father, identified as G. Smith, and a 23-year-old mother, identified as J. Ellison, are facing severe criminal charges after their 5-month-old daughter died following what authorities have described as a “horrific weekend” of abuse. The young child was pronounced dead after enduring severe injuries that investigators believe were caused by her parents.
The father, Smith, is charged with causing serious bodily injury to a child. The mother, Ellison, faces charges of causing serious bodily injury to a child by omission. These grave accusations came to light after the couple allegedly delayed seeking medical attention for their daughter’s critical injuries, which included brain bleed, respiratory issues, and multiple broken ribs, some of which were healing, indicating past trauma.
The situation began unraveling on September 29 when the girl was rushed to the hospital from the couple’s residence. According to the Sheriff E. Gonzalez, the medical examination revealed the baby had suffered “sheering injuries” to the brain—a type of injury typically associated with violent shaking. The medical staff at the hospital described the baby’s condition as grim, noting she had no brain activity upon admission.
Sheriff Gonzalez detailed that the abuse reportedly started on September 26, when the 5-month-old girl began exhibiting severe symptoms, including partial paralysis. Despite her evident distress, her parents waited until September 29 to seek medical help. By October 3, the girl succumbed to her injuries and was pronounced dead.
Following their arrest, both parents were held without bond in jail. Smith’s initial bond was set at $1 million but was later reduced to $250,000 during court proceedings. Ellison’s bond was set at $150,000. An attorney representing Ellison requested a reduction to $10,000 or for her to be released on her own recognizance, citing her lack of criminal history and strong community ties as reasons she was not a flight risk. The motion highlighted:
“Defendant has never been charged with a crime, has personal ties to the community in that Defendant resides in Texas where she also is gainfully employed. Because of these ties to the community, Defendant is not a flight risk.” However, the severity of the charges paints a grim picture of neglect and direct harm. The couple is accused not only of inflicting the injuries but also of failing to act as their daughter’s condition worsened dramatically.
The community and law enforcement have been deeply affected by the circumstances of the 5-month-old girl’s death. Local authorities, along with the sheriff’s office, have been working tirelessly to investigate the full scope of the abuse, which they believe had occurred over several days leading to the fatal outcome.
The case has drawn significant attention due to the brutal nature of the injuries and the young age of the victim. It has also sparked discussions about the responsibilities of parents and the mechanisms of protective services to prevent such tragedies. As the legal proceedings continue, both Smith and Ellison face the possibility of lengthy prison sentences if convicted of the charges.
