Four-year-old critically injured after jailed mother abandons daughter with friend who beats her ‘daily for months’: police

Charges of child injury were brought against a Texas woman who reportedly seriously injured a 4-year-old child in her care.

After posting a $100,000 bond, Tameria Barnett, 30, was released from Houston’s Harris County Jail; however, the young child she is suspected of hurting is still in critical condition in the hospital.

The child is the daughter of Barnett’s friend who is presently incarcerated, Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez stated on X, formerly Twitter.

Associated coverage:

In his X post, Gonzalez said that on November 26, the hospital where the child was transported called the police.

Police were informed by hospital staff that the girl had symptoms of past abuse and that the injuries were life-threatening.

Gonzalez said in a later post that he thought the girl had been beaten every day for months. The girl arrived at Texas Children’s Hospital in critical condition.

Gonzalez said that homicide detectives were looking into the matter because of the child’s severe injuries. On November 29, Barnett was taken into custody by police and accused of causing harm to a kid.

Barnett acknowledged in probate court that she repeatedly [hit] the girl with her fists and a belt, according to KHOU, a local CBS affiliate.

Barnett has been taking care of the girl since her mother was imprisoned in September 2024.

Barnett posted a $100,000 bond to get out of Harris County Jail. On December 2, she will appear in court again.

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