SMITH COUNTY, TX - Two moms left their children, ages six and four, alone in a locked room with a two-month-old baby while they were out partying at a hotel. The young kids tossed and stomped on the infant's head, according to police.
The mothers, 21-year-old Sidney Whitt and 29-year-old Jacqulun Morales, allegedly placed the children in the care of Morales' 18-year-old sister, Shelby Munoz, and locked them in a bedroom before leaving to go drink alcohol and use drugs with a man at a local hotel, Law & Crime reported.
Police said the children tossed the two-month-old baby around and stomped on its head until the baby began having seizures. The infant suffered a brain bleed from the abuse. Extensive facial bruising was also reported by doctors after the infant was brought to a local hospital.
The baby was placed in a medically induced coma after being hospitalized. On June 18, Child Protective Services and hospital staff notified police, prompting the Smith County Sheriff's Office (SCSO) to launch an investigation. Munoz allegedly told police what happened and said she didn't intervene because the children "were not hers" and she didn't believe their safety was her responsibility.
Whitt and Morales came home to find the baby severely injured and did not seek medical help until the following day, according to police. Upon searching the home where the child was injured, police "discovered that the home lacked air conditioning and was infested with flies." Police also said "the floor was heavily littered with rat feces, diapers and clothing."
Munoz and Morales were arrested on Tuesday, June 23 and Whitt was arrested on Thursday, June 25. All three have been charged with child endangerment and injury to a child. They are each being held on a $250,000 bond for each charge.
The mothers, 21-year-old Sidney Whitt and 29-year-old Jacqulun Morales, allegedly placed the children in the care of Morales' 18-year-old sister, Shelby Munoz, and locked them in a bedroom before leaving to go drink alcohol and use drugs with a man at a local hotel, Law & Crime reported.
Police said the children tossed the two-month-old baby around and stomped on its head until the baby began having seizures. The infant suffered a brain bleed from the abuse. Extensive facial bruising was also reported by doctors after the infant was brought to a local hospital.
The baby was placed in a medically induced coma after being hospitalized. On June 18, Child Protective Services and hospital staff notified police, prompting the Smith County Sheriff's Office (SCSO) to launch an investigation. Munoz allegedly told police what happened and said she didn't intervene because the children "were not hers" and she didn't believe their safety was her responsibility.
Whitt and Morales came home to find the baby severely injured and did not seek medical help until the following day, according to police. Upon searching the home where the child was injured, police "discovered that the home lacked air conditioning and was infested with flies." Police also said "the floor was heavily littered with rat feces, diapers and clothing."
Munoz and Morales were arrested on Tuesday, June 23 and Whitt was arrested on Thursday, June 25. All three have been charged with child endangerment and injury to a child. They are each being held on a $250,000 bond for each charge.
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