A mother in Texas has been sentenced to 25 years in prison for severely neglecting her young daughter. Virginia Gonzales, 33, from Del Valle, was found guilty of starving her daughter by only allowing her to eat one corn dog a day. The court heard that Gonzales restricted her daughter’s food intake due to behavioral issues and bladder problems, and ordered her other children to confine her in a small room.
Gonzales pleaded guilty to felony child injury, acknowledging the harm she caused. The young girl was discovered malnourished and living in appalling conditions, confined to a small space where she defecated and urinated. She weighed a mere 29 pounds when rescued, showing signs of extreme malnutrition.
Detectives described the girl’s physical state as severely compromised, with her body depleting its fat reserves to survive. Gonzales had justified her actions as discipline for her daughter’s behavior. Notably, one of Gonzales’ children, Ava Marie Gonzales, had gone missing in 2017 at the age of nine, and investigations into her disappearance are ongoing.
Following the sentencing, the Travis County District Attorney’s Office expressed hope that the punishment would be a step towards the victim’s recovery. The office emphasized the importance of justice for all children, emphasizing the need for protection and care for vulnerable individuals. Gonzales’ other children have been placed in protective custody while authorities continue the search for Ava.