AUSTIN, TX – A Texas mother is facing severe felony charges following allegations that she confined her 7-year-old daughter to a closet, depriving her of food and basic necessities. Virginia Gonzales, 33, has been charged with causing serious bodily injury to a child after her daughter was discovered in a malnourished state by her own grandmother.
The child was reportedly found weighing only 29 pounds with evident signs of neglect after allegedly being locked in the closet for several weeks. According to court documents, Gonzales used this form of punishment due to the child having bladder issues and supposedly “getting into stuff.”
The closet was described as a cramped space, just 3 feet by 1 foot 10 inches. Gonzales’s six other children, aged between 2 and 14, told authorities that their sister was punished for behaviors such as eating items she was not supposed to.
The siblings stated that Gonzales initiated the confinement and instructed them to lock their sister inside.
The victim’s 10-year-old brother disclosed that the child was restricted to consuming only one corn dog and half a cup of water each day. She was forced to relieve herself in the makeshift prison, as she had no access to bathroom facilities.
Following the discovery, Austin police placed all seven children into protective custody. Meanwhile, investigators have been prompted to look into the disappearance of another Gonzales family member, Ava, who has been missing since 2017. Ava was last seen at the age of 9, and her whereabouts remain unknown.
The investigation revealed that the young girl who was imprisoned suffered permanent brain damage due to prolonged starvation. Authorities recounted that the closet had been barricaded, making it even more challenging for the child to escape or receive help.
The police department is reaching out to the community for any information regarding the missing child, Ava, urging anyone with details to come forward. The nature of this harrowing case has left a profound impact on the local community, highlighting the urgency and significance of child welfare awareness and intervention.