Haltom City grandmother returned to Tarrant County Jail

A Haltom City grandmother who waited six days to call 911 after her 2-year-old grandson was scalded by water was booked into the Tarrant County Jail Tuesday afternoon, an official said.

Patricia Flores, 43, surrendered Thursday to authorities in Guadalupe County after a warrant was issued for her in the death of Lyfe “Gabe” Flores, 2.

Tarrant County deputies escorted her into the jail about 3 p.m. Tuesday, according to Terry Grisham, spokesman for the Tarrant County Sheriff’s Department.

Gabe died April 4 at Parkland Memorial Hospital in Dallas, five days after police found him unresponsive with severe burns in a Haltom City home, the Star-Telegram has previously reported.

Flores, who was Gabe’s legal guardian, told police she had filled a tub with hot water March 24 so she could mop, and then left the bathroom for a few minutes. Flores said she found the toddler on the floor shortly thereafter.

She told police she waited six days to call and report he was going into shock because she thought she could take care of him as a certified nursing assistant.

But Haltom City police believe she “intentionally or knowingly” caused the toddler’s injuries “by placing Lyfe Flores in hot liquid,”according to a criminal complaint filed April 19.

Haltom City detectives said the lack of medical treatment for his severe burns led to an infection, which could have contributed to his death.

Flores faces a felony charge of injury to a child with bail set at $75,000. —Monica S. Nagy

This story was originally published April 26, 2016 at 7:23 PM with the headline "Haltom City grandmother returned to Tarrant County Jail."