GALVESTON, Texas – The mother of a toddler is now charged after a 17-month-old girl was found with severe injuries in a Galveston roadway and died at the hospital Wednesday, officials said.
30-year-old Channel Yonko, of Houston, is charged with capital murder in the death of her daughter, Hannah Yonko.
It all started when police received reports of an abandoned child around 10 a.m. on 59th Street near Seawall Boulevard.
Brandon Urbina says he was the one who made that first call when he discovered the horrific scene outside the Beachfront Palm Hotel.
“Come down the street and I see a little kid’s blanket. As I drove a little further, I could see curly hair,” he said.
He says little Hannah was lying there with obvious injuries covered in blood.
“Precious, beautiful little girl, lying there lifeless,” he said.
Officers, EMS, and fire personnel located the infant, and police said she required immediate medical care. She was transported to the trauma center at UTMB Galveston, where she later died.
Galveston police provide update after baby girl found on street passes away
The Galveston Police Department provided an update after a baby girl was found dead on a Galveston street. However, she later died, officials said.
In a news release Wednesday night, police said Hannah died from traumatic injuries police allege Channel inflicted on Hannah.
“The child perished from bodily harm, from trauma,” Chief Doug Balli.
Police haven’t confirmed the cause of death, but some hotel goers have ideas of what happened.
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“That baby was thrown on the ground because there was a blood spot where the baby’s head was. And in the sand, it was a body mark,” said Donna Coach, a hotel guest.
“This is a horrible crime. All children deserve to feel safe when around loved ones, especially with their own mother,” said Chief Doug Balli. “The Galveston Police Department is committed to bringing justice for Hannah and ensuring the safety of all children in our community.”
Police encourage anyone in the vicinity of the crime who may have video surveillance cameras to review any footage for information that may be beneficial to the investigation. If they have anything, they should call police detectives at 409-765-3777.
