HOUSTON – A toddler hospitalized with severe injuries after suffering abuse has died, according to Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez.
The toddler’s uncle Melvin Omar Morales-Gomez, 27, was arrested and charged with injury to a child causing serious bodily injury in connection to the abuse of the child.
Update: The 3-Year-old was pronounced deceased at 12:11pm today. While we knew this was the likely outcome, it’s always sad when it happens. The little guy never had a chance. May he Rest In Peace. #HouNews https://t.co/17DzguGqtt
— Ed Gonzalez (@SheriffEd_HCSO) February 2, 2020
Morales-Gomez made a preliminary court appearance Saturday morning, where his bond was set at $500,000.
On Saturday, prosecutors said his bond was set so high because the child named Kevin was on life support in critical condition at the time. Now that Kevin has died, Morales-Gomez’s charges will likely be upgraded. He is also facing deportation since he is not a U.S. citizen.
The abuse incident happened Thursday at a residence in the 11200 block of Fallbrook Drive in northwest Houston, according to authorities.
According to court documents, Morales-Gomez told officers he grabbed the toddler, bit his lip so hard it began to bleed and squeezed him tightly. When Morales-Gomez realized something was wrong with Kevin, he called his wife and rushed the child to the hospital.
Kevin was taken to Kindred Hospital in northwest Harris County around 4:30 p.m. Thursday. The Harris County Sheriff’s Office said the child had severe injuries, so doctors at Kindred called for a helicopter to take the child to the Texas Medical Center.
A nurse told officials the child suffered several injuries including swelling to the brain, which was not receiving adequate oxygen, a fractured jaw, a broken clavicle and bruising on the chest, forearm and legs.
Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez said in a tweet that the incident is a “horrific, heartbreaking case of abuse, neglect of an innocent, defenseless child.”
Kevin was living in an apartment in northwest Harris County with his uncle, who served as the primary caregiver. Kevin’s eight-year-old brother was also living there. A woman who had been caring for Kevin said the brother is now in CPS custody.
Morales-Gomez is expected to appear in court Monday at 9 a.m.