GALVESTON, Texas – The mother of a 17-month-old girl is charged with capital murder in connection to her daughter’s death after the child was found on a road in Galveston and later died from injuries.
Channel Yonko, 30, of Houston, is charged in the death of her daughter, Hannah Yonko. She is being held in the Galveston County Jail without bond.
The child was found at around 9:45 a.m. on the road of 59th St. between a grocery store and a hotel. Galveston Police Department officials told KPRC 2 that they responded to the situation and immediately called fire and EMS officials to the scene.
GPD Chief Doug Balli said that the child was still alive when she was found, and she was rushed to the emergency center at UTMB Health’s John Sealy Hospital. A short time later, the child was pronounced dead.
Balli said police were able to develop a suspect and detained them, bringing them to the police department to be questioned.
During the interview, more information was developed which will lead to a capital murder charge being filed against the suspect.
“No first responder ever wants to respond to the scene of a child, an infant that is so injured that they may not make it,” Balli said.
Balli said the child died from traumatic injuries, allegedly inflicted on the girl by her mother. It appears the child had suffered injuries from a fall, however, Balli said there were also other injuries on the child that they are looking into.
“This was definitely not a natural death,” Balli said.
The suspect was at the police department within two hours of officers finding the child, according to Balli.
In a statement later Wednesday, Balli said the department is committed to bringing justice for Hannah.
“This is a horrible crime. All children deserve to feel safe when around loved ones, especially with their own mother. The Galveston Police Department is committed to bringing justice for Hannah and ensuring the safety of all children in our community,” Balli said.
Anyone with any information on the case or may have captured anything on surveillance cameras is urged to contact the Galveston Police Department at 409-765-3777.