A Texas couple has been arrested after authorities say their 9-month-old daughter was found suffering from severe malnutrition and had gained only about one pound since birth.
Jenny Sanchez, 23, and Adariance Rahman, 22, were each charged with injury to a child causing serious bodily injury and endangering a child, according to the Gatesville Police Department.
Police said the infant’s condition was so severe that hospital staff described it as one of the worst cases of malnutrition they had ever seen in a living infant.
Welfare Concern Led Police to Family’s Home
The investigation began on July 20 after police received a report expressing concern that a baby living at a home on North 27th Street in Gatesville, Texas, was not being properly cared for.
Officers responded to the residence around 9 p.m. and immediately noticed signs that the infant was suffering from extreme malnutrition.
Emergency medical personnel transported the child to Baylor Children’s Medical Center in Temple for urgent treatment.
Officers Found Baby Severely Underweight
According to the criminal complaint, officers observed that the 9-month-old girl appeared dangerously underweight.
Police said the baby’s ribs, collarbones, shoulder blades, and spine were clearly visible through her skin.
Investigators also reported that her eyes were deeply sunken and her skin appeared pale and loose, indicating prolonged malnutrition.
Medical professionals later confirmed that the child’s condition was life-threatening.
Mother Said Baby Had Never Been Examined by a Doctor
According to investigators, Sanchez told officers that her daughter had recently been ill with the flu.
However, police said she also admitted the child had never been taken to a doctor or received a medical checkup since birth.
Authorities said Sanchez told investigators she stopped breastfeeding when the baby was about four months old.
She allegedly explained that the child did not drink infant formula and instead was fed water and squeezable baby food.
Hospital Diagnosed Severe Malnutrition
Doctors at Baylor Children’s Medical Center determined that the infant was suffering from severe malnutrition.
According to investigators, medical staff also found abnormalities in the child’s bones and diagnosed her with refeeding syndrome, a dangerous medical condition that can occur when nutrition is introduced after prolonged starvation or severe undernourishment.
One hospital staff member reportedly described the case as “one of the worst cases of malnourishment in an infant” that she had ever seen where the child was still alive.
Medical personnel warned that the infant’s condition posed an immediate threat to her life.
Baby Gained Only One Pound in Nine Months
Authorities revealed that the child weighed 6 pounds, 14 ounces when she was born.
At the time she was admitted to the hospital at nine months old, she weighed only 7 pounds, 16.3 ounces.
Investigators said the infant had gained only about one pound during the first nine months of her life.
Doctors also warned that the prolonged malnutrition could result in long-term developmental problems, including delayed growth as well as cognitive and motor skill impairments.
Parents Taken Into Custody
Following the investigation, authorities arrested both parents.
Police said Sanchez was taken into custody at the hospital, while Rahman was arrested at the family’s residence.
Both remain charged with injury to a child causing serious bodily injury and endangering a child.
Other Children Removed From Home
Child Protective Services took the 9-month-old into protective custody following the investigation.
Authorities also removed two other children living in the home to ensure their safety while the criminal case proceeds.
Police have not released additional information about the children’s current condition, and the investigation remains ongoing. Authorities continue working with medical professionals and child welfare officials as the case moves through the Texas court system.
