Mother and Stepfather Charged After 12-Year-Old Girl Dies from Injuries Following Days of Neglect

Hidden Killers With Tony Brueski | True Crime News & Commentary

A tragic case in Atascosa County has led to the arrest of a mother and stepfather after their 12-year-old daughter, Miranda Sipps, died following what authorities describe as a critical delay in seeking medical care for severe injuries.
According to the Atascosa County Sheriff’s Office, the incident began when 36-year-old Denise Balbaneda called 911 on Monday to request medical assistance for her daughter. Emergency Medical Services (EMS) met Balbaneda en route to the hospital and found Miranda “alive but unconscious.” Despite efforts to save her, the young girl died nearly two hours after arriving at the hospital.
Authorities have since revealed that Miranda's injuries were sustained on August 8, four days before her mother sought medical help. During that time, Balbaneda and her husband, 40-year-old Gerald Gonzales, allegedly attempted to treat Miranda’s severe condition with home remedies, including smoothies and vitamins, instead of seeking professional medical care.
At a news conference, Sheriff David Soward expressed his frustration and disbelief over the couple’s actions. “Basically, they thought they could nurse her back to health,” Soward said. “We do not think they wanted the attention that this would draw if the little girl was injured, which is strangely ironic, but that was their line of thinking.”
Soward added that the couple likely chose to drive Miranda away from their home while waiting for EMS to avoid having law enforcement respond to their residence.
The Sheriff’s Office has not yet detailed how Miranda sustained her injuries, and an autopsy report is still pending. However, the charges against Balbaneda and Gonzales are severe. Both have been charged with injury to a child causing serious bodily injury by omission, a first-degree felony. Their bonds have been set at $200,000 each.
The investigation also revealed that this was not the first time law enforcement had been called to the home. Sheriff Soward acknowledged that they had responded to previous incidents at the residence, although he did not specify the nature of those calls. Records obtained by local news outlet KSAT indicate that three calls were made to the home within the past year, including two related to marks on a child.
The case has raised significant concerns about the welfare of children in similar situations, where parents or guardians may delay or avoid seeking necessary medical care due to fear of legal repercussions or drawing attention to their actions. Sheriff Soward emphasized the importance of promptly seeking medical help when a child is injured, regardless of the circumstances.
“This case is a heartbreaking reminder of what can happen when parents don’t seek the care their children need,” Soward said. “Miranda might still be with us today if her injuries had been treated sooner.”
As the investigation continues, authorities are working to piece together the events that led to Miranda’s injuries and to determine whether additional charges may be filed against Balbaneda and Gonzales. The community, meanwhile, is left grappling with the tragic loss of a young life and the disturbing circumstances surrounding her death.
Miranda Sipps’ death has not only brought grief to those who knew her but also sparked a wider discussion about child welfare and the responsibilities of parents and guardians in ensuring the safety and health of their children.
As authorities await the autopsy report, the focus remains on understanding how this tragedy could have been prevented and ensuring that justice is served for Miranda.
The charges against Balbaneda and Gonzales underscore the seriousness of neglecting a child's medical needs, and the case will likely serve as a stark warning to others about the devastating consequences of such actions.
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