Toddler found abandoned, severely injured on street dies, Texas cops say. Mom charged
A 17-month-old girl died after being found abandoned with serious injuries on a street, Texas authorities say.
The Oct. 23 discovery of Hannah Yonko, who a witness said was found on the pavement “lifeless,” led to charges against her 30-year-old mother. The Galveston Police Department said Channel Yonko, of Houston, was detained later in the day and charged with murder.
Hannah was found in the vicinity of a Kroger supermarket and a hotel in Galveston under a blanket, according to KTRK.
“When I made that turn, it was heartbreaking to see a precious, beautiful, perfect little girl laying there lifeless,” Brandon Uriba, who discovered the girl, told KTRK.
Galveston Police Chief Doug Balli said in a news briefing that the toddler was taken to a hospital, where she was pronounced dead.
She died from “bodily harm,” Balli said, adding that her death was not natural. Evidence suggested the girl suffered a fall and had traumatic injuries.
Police told The Galveston Daily News witnesses saw “a bag being thrown from the third story of the Beachfront Palms Hotel” shortly before she was discovered.
“It’s tragic for everyone involved,” Balli said in the news briefing. “No one ever wants to make this call. No first responder ever wants to respond to the scene of a child, who is an infant, who is so injured they may not make it.”
Officers identified the girl’s mother as a suspect within an hour of Hannah’s death, the police chief said. Channel Yonko was detained in the parking lot of a restaurant, according to Balli.
She was jailed without bond on a capital murder charge, police said.
“This is a horrible crime. All children deserve to feel safe when around loved ones, especially with their own mother,” Balli said in a statement. “The Galveston Police Department is committed to bringing justice for Hannah and ensuring the safety of all children in our community.”
Anyone with information about the incident is asked to contact Galveston police at 409-765-3777.