Parents left abused 5-month-old to die for days, Texas cops say. ‘Sad and disturbing’
A man and woman have been arrested after a sheriff in Texas said they abused their 5-month-old baby, then left her to die.
Glenn Wayne Smith and Jasmine Marie Ellison are charged with injury to a child/serious bodily injury, according to an Oct. 7 news release from Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez.
McClatchy News reached out to attorneys for Smith and Ellison on Oct. 8 but did not immediately hear back.
The parents are accused of abusing their 5-month-old baby, Ja’nae, then leaving her to die over four days before seeking medical care in Houston.
Gonzalez said Ja’nae died on Oct. 3 after “suffering a horrific weekend” that began on Sept. 26. She was throwing up blood and was partially paralyzed, he said.
“Ja’nae suffered from multiple rib fractures and brain bleed. Her prognosis was grim,” Gonzalez said.
Ellison saw Ja’nae’s injuries and called a hospital but didn’t take her in, according to court records, KHOU reported.
When Ja’nae was taken to a hospital, she was found to have no brain function, Gonzalez said.
Smith is accused of abusing Ja’nae, while Ellison failed to take action and seek medical care, according to court records, KTRK reported. Investigators said the two watched Ja’nae get worse instead of immediately taking her to a hospital, according to the outlet.
“Tragically, Ja’nae suffered abuse and trauma over the span of her short life,” Gonzalez said. “Sad and disturbing.”
