Texas cheerleader, 12, dies ‘after mother and stepfather failed to seek help for mystery injuries she sustained’
A 12-year-old cheerleader died after suffering a mysterious injury, and her mother and stepfather waited four days before they could get help, police said.
Miranda Sipps, 12, died in hospital Monday evening.
According to police, she had been unconscious for several days before her family had her arm felt.
Her mother Denise Balbaneda, 36, and stepfather Gerald Gonzales, 40, both of Christine, have been charged with negligent battery on a child resulting in serious bodily injury, a first-degree felony.
No further details have been released about the injury that ultimately proved fatal to Sipps or how she may have sustained it.
The dispatch center received a call for medical assistance around 8 p.m. the night Sipps died.
They met the family at Highway 16 South and FM 140, where emergency responders found her “alive but unconscious.”
Cheerleader Miranda Sipps, center, died after her mother and father did not seek medical treatment for a mysterious injury, investigators say
Denise Balbaneda, the mother of a Texas cheerleader who died of life-threatening injuries, is accused of waiting four days for medical help
Denise Balbaneda (left) and Gerald Gonzales (right) have been charged in connection with the death
Miranda was rushed to Methodist Hospital in Atascos, where she was pronounced dead less than two hours later.
Detectives launched an investigation into the circumstances under which she was “seriously” injured and determined she sustained the injuries on August 8.
“The investigation revealed that the parents did not seek medical help for the girl, despite the fact that she was mentally and physically disabled and unresponsive,” police said in a statement.
“It appears the mother eventually called 911 when the girl started having trouble breathing.”
Balbaneda and Gonzales were booked into the Atascosa County Jail on Tuesday.
An investigation is still ongoing and a full autopsy will be performed to determine the girl’s cause of death.
During a press conference, police said they were not releasing details about her injuries because they were not yet sure how she sustained them. He confirmed that she had no broken bones or scars on her body.
They did indicate that police had come to the family’s home earlier, but gave no further information.
The 12-year-old girl from Christine was a cheerleader on the Jourdanton Junior High Cheer team
“They told us how the injuries occurred and said they didn’t do anything,” said Sheriff David Soward.
‘You can ignore the way the injuries occurred, but as a parent you still have a duty to provide medical care to a 12-year-old child.
“We’re not talking about attacking the child, trying to kill him or anything like that. We’re talking about the fact that they didn’t do anything.”
“It had nothing to do with school. We have a story from the mother, but we don’t want to release that at this time.”
He said the parents thought they could help her get back on her feet, but they were trying to avoid drawing police attention to their home, which he said was “neglected.”
However, he indicated that no suspicious substances regarding alcohol or drugs had been found in the home.
The preteen was a cheerleader on the Jourdanton Junior High Cheer team.
Her family is heartbroken and has started a fundraiser to help cover funeral expenses so they can honor the young man.
“It is with heavy hearts that we share the news of the passing of our beloved cousin Miranda,” a statement on the GoFundMe reads.
“She left us far too soon and in an unexpected way. She leaves behind a legacy of love, laughter and memories that we will cherish forever.”
The offense the couple is accused of is defined as a parent or caregiver’s failure to respond appropriately to or prevent an injury.
This may involve situations in which a legal guardian fails to provide food and drink, fails to protect a child from abuse, or fails to seek medical attention when needed.
A first-degree felony is a crime of the first degree, punishable by imprisonment for five to 99 years or life in prison and a fine of up to $10,000.
Police do not yet know whether more charges will be filed.