Parents arrested in Texas after discovering their baby had life-threatening malnutrition
The baby was taken to a pediatric hospital, while two other minors in the home were taken into the custody of child protective services.
A couple from Gatesville, Texas, was arrested after authorities found their 9-month-old daughter with severe malnutrition that medical personnel said was life-threatening.
The detainees were identified as Jenny Sanchez, 23, and Adariance Rahman, 22, who face one count each of causing serious injury to a minor and another of endangering a child, the Gatesville Police Department reported.
The investigation began on July 20, when a person alerted authorities about the apparent lack of care the baby was receiving in a home located on North 27th Street.
The baby showed signs of extreme malnutrition
Upon arriving at the home around 9:00 p.m., the agents observed that the girl showed obvious signs of extreme malnutrition, so they immediately requested medical assistance.
The minor was taken to Baylor Children's Medical Center in Temple.
According to the criminal complaint cited by CBS, the baby was significantly underweight for her age and her ribs, collarbones, shoulder blades and spine were clearly visible through the skin.
Officers also described the girl as having sunken eyes and pale, sagging skin.
The mother stated that the baby did not consume formula
According to the investigation, Sanchez explained to the agents that her daughter had been sick with the flu, although she acknowledged that she had never been taken to a doctor nor had she received medical check-ups since her birth.
He also stated that he stopped breastfeeding her when she was four months old.
According to the court document, the mother indicated that the baby also did not consume infant formula and that her diet consisted only of water and baby food in squeeze containers.
Doctors described the case as one of the worst they have seen.
The hospital staff diagnosed the minor with severe malnutrition, bone disorders and refeeding syndrome, a condition that can develop when a person who has been left for a long time without receiving the necessary nutrients is fed again.
One of the health professionals stated that it was one of the worst cases of malnutrition in a baby that he had seen alive, according to the complaint.
Doctors also warned that the girl could suffer permanent growth problems, as well as delays in her cognitive and motor development as a result of the prolonged state of malnutrition.
The youngest had barely gained weight since birth.
Authorities reported that the baby weighed 6 pounds, 14 ounces at birth.
When she was admitted to the hospital at nine months old, her weight was 7 pounds, 16.3 ounces, just over a pound over her birth weight.
After the intervention of the authorities, Child Protective Services (CPS) assumed custody of the baby and two other minors who lived in the same residence.
Sanchez was arrested at the hospital, while Rahman was later detained at the family home.