Tragic Story Unfolds in Atascosa County, Texas
A heartbreaking incident has shaken the community of Atascosa County, Texas. Reports obtained by KSAT reveal that authorities from the Atascosa County Sheriff’s Office had responded to a home multiple times in the months leading up to the tragic death of a 12-year-old girl.
The young girl, later identified as Miranda Sipps, was pronounced dead on Monday evening. Her mother, 36-year-old Denise Balbaneda, and stepfather, 40-year-old Gerald Gonzales, have been charged with injury to a child causing serious bodily harm due to neglect, according to the sheriff’s office.
Sheriff David Soward confirmed that Balbaneda and Gonzales are currently behind bars at the Atascosa County Jail with a bond set at $200,000 each.
Previous Calls to the Home
Records from the Atascosa County Sheriff’s Office indicate that there were at least three documented visits to the residence before the tragic incident on Monday.
- On March 28, deputies were called for a welfare check after a female was observed with scratches on her. Responding deputies found the situation to be verbal in nature.
- On November 1, marks on a child were reported by Jourdanton Elementary School to Child Protective Services, leading to a call to authorities. Further details on this case remain undisclosed.
- On October 29, a disturbance involving Gonzales’ presence at the location was reported, resulting in authorities intervening to separate the parties.
The sheriff’s office has refrained from releasing additional information pertaining to the suspects involved.
Investigation into Miranda Sipps’ Tragic Death
The Atascosa County Sheriff’s Office has initiated an investigation into Miranda’s untimely passing. According to official reports, Balbaneda contacted 911 when her daughter became unresponsive on Monday evening while they were driving. Dispatchers instructed Balbaneda to meet emergency services at a designated spot near Christine.
Miranda was rushed to a nearby hospital, where she succumbed to her injuries. Interrogations with Balbaneda indicated that the child sustained severe, life-threatening injuries on August 8. However, neither Balbaneda nor Gonzales sought medical assistance despite Miranda being unresponsive.
An autopsy report for the child is currently pending, providing further insight into this tragic incident.
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