A 2-year-old Spring girl is on life support after her mother's boyfriend allegedly beat her on two separate occasions over five days, fracturing her skull, lacerating her liver and breaking her pelvis, according to court records.
Gerardo Gonzalez, 29, is charged with injury to a child causing serious bodily injury and is being held in the Harris County Jail on a $1 million bond. Prosecutors say the charge could be upgraded depending on whether the girl survives.
The case updates our earlier reporting on the mother's arrest in the case. Court records now lay out a detailed abuse timeline, and the child's condition has worsened from the "critical condition" Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez reported on Aug. 11 to life support as of Thursday, Aug. 13, according to KPRC 2.
Aug. 1: Skull fracture
According to court records cited by KPRC 2, the alleged abuse began Aug. 1 when Gonzalez hit the toddler in the head multiple times, causing a skull fracture. The girl's mother, Jazmin Cisneros, 28, saw visible injuries afterward, and Gonzalez admitted to hitting the child, prosecutors say.
The girl did not receive medical treatment.
Prosecutors say Cisneros failed to seek care because she feared Gonzalez would go to jail. It has not been alleged that Cisneros took part in any of the physical abuse, according to ABC 13.
Aug. 6: Stomping, unresponsive child
Five days later, on Aug. 6, prosecutors allege Gonzalez stomped on the child, leaving her with a lacerated liver and a fractured pelvis. She became unresponsive.
Gonzalez and Cisneros left their home on Rendezvous Court in Spring to take the child to a hospital. On the way, they stopped at an Exxon gas station on Cypresswood Drive near Spring Dane Drive, where Harris County Precinct 4 constable deputies happened to be on scene for an unrelated call, according to KHOU 11.
Deputies began CPR on the unresponsive toddler until EMS arrived. The child was taken to a local hospital, where doctors found multiple life-threatening injuries, then airlifted to a second hospital for surgery, according to FOX 26.
Bond conditions and next steps
"Cases involving children are among the most heartbreaking first responders encounter, and we remain committed to seeking justice on her behalf," Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez said on Aug. 7, when the initial arrest was announced.
A prosecutor said the office would hold those responsible accountable "to the fullest extent of the law."
If Gonzalez posts bond, he would be required to wear a GPS monitor and have no contact with the victim. His next court appearance is set for Oct. 8.
Cisneros is also charged with injury to a child causing serious bodily injury and is being held on a $500,000 bond. Investigators processed the Rendezvous Court home as a second scene in the case.
The child's name has not been released by authorities. Anyone with information about this case can contact the Harris County Sheriff's Office at 713-274-9100.
