Tragedy in Texas! 12-Year-Old Dies After Parents Allegedly Treat Severe Injury With Smoothies!
A 12-year-old Texas girl is dead after her parents allegedly treated her life-threatening injuries with smoothies and vitamins instead of calling for help. 🌐 #News #ChristineTX #Texas #Crime
SAN ANTONIO, TX – A 12-year-old Texas cheerleader died Monday night, four days after sustaining “life-threatening” injuries, which authorities say her parents tried to treat with smoothies and vitamins instead of seeking medical attention.
In the face of this horrific tragedy, our hearts break for the young life that was lost due to alleged unimaginable neglect. Let us honor this young girl by remembering her as a precious child of God who deserved love, care, and protection.
The girl’s mother, 36-year-old Denise Balbaneda, and stepfather, 40-year-old Gerald Gonzalez, were arrested Tuesday in Christine, Texas, on charges of injury to a child causing serious bodily injury by omission, a first-degree felony, Atascosa County Sheriff David Soward said.
Jourdanton Junior High School student Miranda Sipps was injured on Thursday, though Soward did not provide details about the injuries or their cause during a press conference.
Soward said her parents did not seek help, “even though she was mentally and physically incapacitated and non-responsive,” because they did not want to draw attention to the girl’s injuries, Soward said.
It wasn’t until Sipps went into respiratory distress on Monday night that Balbaneda called for help after 8 p.m. Although the 911 call initially came from their home, Balbaneda took the child and began driving, causing dispatchers to instruct her to stop her vehicle at an intersection where EMS could meet her.
Hospital staff worked “vigorously” to treat Sipps, but she was pronounced dead at 9:55 p.m. Monday.
The sheriff’s office immediately began investigating the circumstances surrounding the girl’s death, led by Sergeant Investigator Robert Newman. Investigators learned that the girl’s parents allegedly tried to treat her with smoothies and vitamins, and may have tried to give her oxygen.
“Basically they thought they could nurse her back to health and we do not think they wanted the attention that this would draw if the little girl was injured,” Soward said. “Which is strangely ironic, but that was their line of thinking.”
Sipps could only “flutter her eyes and move her hands a little bit over a four-day period,” Soward said. Balbaneda allegedly left the home with Sipps after calling 911 because she didn’t want law enforcement inside the house.
Soward said authorities are still awaiting the results of an autopsy, and the investigation is ongoing.
As we grieve the loss of this young girl, let us hold her memory in our hearts and pray for peace and healing for all who loved her. In times like these, may we be reminded of the preciousness of life and the importance of compassion and care for the vulnerable among us. Her life was valuable, and we honor her by cherishing and protecting the lives of those around us.
Written by TMX staff, with additional reporting by Jack and Kitty Norton. Denise Balbaneda and Gerald Gonzalez mugshot photos courtesy Atascosa County Sheriff’s Office.
Sign Up for Our Newsletter
We value your feedback! Did you find this article informative, inspiring, or thought-provoking? Leave a comment below and join the discussion. We appreciate your opinion and look forward to hearing from you!
