Atascosa County Sheriff: Couple arrested, charged in connection to death of 12-year-old daughter

SAN ANTONIO (KTSA News) — A 12-year-old Atascosa County girl has died and her parents have been charged in connection to her death.

A press release from the Atascosa County Sheriff’s Office states the child’s mother, 36-year-old Denise Balbaneda, and stepfather, 40-year-old Gerald Gonzales were arrested Monday.

Balbaneda is said to have called 9-1-1 Monday to report that her daughter was unconscious. She was told to meet EMS at an intersection in the town of Christine.

The child, identified as Miranda Sipps, was taken to a nearby hospital where she later died.

The release goes on to say that while questioning the girl’s mother, deputies learned that the child had been injured Thursday night, but her parents did not call for help until Monday.

The couple was placed under arrest on charges of injury to a child causing serious bodily injury by omission.

Details about Sipps’ injuries have not been released.

KTSA News will update this developing story when new details are released.