The mother of a child has been charged after a 17-month-old girl was found badly hurt on a Galveston road and later died at the hospital on Wednesday.
Channel Yonko, 30, of Houston is charged with capital murder in the death of her daughter Hannah Yonko.
Around 10 a.m., cops were called to 59th Street near Seawall Boulevard to report an abandoned child.
Urbina says he was the first person to call 911 when he saw the horrible scene outside of the Beachfront Palm’s Hotel.
“I see a little kid’s blanket down the street. Come on over.” “As I drove a little farther, I saw hair that was curly,” he said.
He says that little Hannah was lying there hurt and covered in blood.
“Precious, beautiful little girl, lying there lifeless,” he told me.
The baby was found by cops, EMS, and firefighters. cops said she needed medical care right away. She was taken to the UTMB Galveston emergency center, but she died there.
In a news release Wednesday night, police said Hannah died from traumatic injuries police allege Channel inflicted on Hannah.
“The child perished from bodily harm, from trauma,” Chief Doug Balli.
Police haven’t confirmed the cause of death, but some hotel goers have ideas of what happened.
It was thrown to the ground because there was blood where the baby’s head should have been. “There was a body mark in the sand,” said hotel guest Donna Coach.
“That was a terrible crime.” Chief Doug Balli said, “All children deserve to feel safe when they are with their families, especially when they are with their mother.” “The Galveston Police Department is committed to bringing justice for Hannah and ensuring the safety of all children in our community.”
Police want people who may have video surveillance cameras near the crime scene to look at the footage for clues that could help with the investigation. They should call officers at the police station at 409-765-3777 if they have anything.
You can call Galveston Crime Stoppers at 409-763-TIPS (8477) or check their website at www.galveston.crimestoppersweb.com if you think you have any other information about this crime that could help in the investigation. All tips are kept secret.