A Texas mother was arrested and charged in connection to the Valentine’s Day death of her 19-year-old daughter.
Crystal Canales reportedly called 911 on Friday about her daughter, Delilah Villegas, who had trouble breathing.
When Balch Springs Police officers responded to the home, they determined that the teen had been dead for six to 24 hours.
The officers also noted foul odor in the bedroom and saw an outline of the girl’s body on the concrete floor where she was discovered in a fetal position.
Authorities said the decedent appeared to be severely malnourished and covered in bruises, bedsores, and contusions.
The teen’s bones were reportedly exposed on her thigh, shoulder, ankle, hand, and hip. Relatives told investigators had no health conditions other than severe autism.
Canales told detectives she hadn’t sought medical help for Villegas since 2021 because the teen became violent when she tried to take her to a doctor.
The mother also claimed the teen was breathing and even ate some goldfish crackers before first responders arrived.
The 41-year-old woman has been charged with serious bodily injury to a disabled person in their care.
