Two Texas mothers and a third woman have been charged with child endangerment and injury to a child after a 2-month-old infant was found with a brain bleed and seizures. The alleged abuse occurred while the mothers, Sidney Whitt, 21, and Jacqulun Morales, 29, reportedly left the infant locked in a bedroom with two other children, ages 6 and 4, inside a fly-infested apartment littered with rat feces.
According to the Smith County Sheriff’s Office, Whitt and Morales allegedly left the children unattended to go to a hotel and consume alcohol and drugs with another individual. While they were gone, the older children allegedly assaulted the infant, tossing it and stomping on its head. The infant subsequently suffered a brain bleed and began having seizures.
The children were reportedly left in the care of Morales’ sister, Shelby Munoz, 18. Detectives were told by Munoz that she was aware of the situation but did not intervene, stating the children were not her responsibility.
Upon returning to the apartment, Whitt and Morales allegedly noticed the infant's injuries but did not seek medical attention until the following day. When the baby arrived at the hospital, it was placed in a medically induced coma and put on a ventilator.
Child Protective Services investigators found the apartment lacking air conditioning amid sweltering summer heat and described it as being infested with flies. The living space was reportedly covered in rat feces, diapers, and clothing.
All three women are being held on a combined bond of $500,000.