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Baby girl found abandoned on Galveston street dies; mother charged

By and
Updated  October 23, 2024 9:56pm CDT
Galveston
FOX 26 Houston

Mother charged in death of toddler found abandoned

FOX 26 Reporter Abigail Dye has more on the investigation after an abandoned toddler was found abandoned in Galveston and was later pronounced dead.

GALVESTON, Texas - The mother of a toddler is now charged after a 17-month-old girl was found with severe injuries in a Galveston roadway and died at the hospital Wednesday, officials said.

30-year-old Channel Yonko, of Houston, is charged with capital murder in the death of her daughter, Hannah Yonko.

Channel Yonko (left) and Hannah Yonko (right)

It all started when police received reports of an abandoned child around 10 a.m. on 59th Street near Seawall Boulevard.

Brandon Urbina says he was the one who made that first call when he discovered the horrific scene outside the Beachfront Palm’s Hotel.

The scene where a baby girl was found abandoned in Galveston on Wednesday. (Photo courtesy i45now)

"Come down the street and I see a little kids blanket. As I drove a little further, I could see curly hair," he said.

He says little Hannah was lying there with obvious injuries covered in blood.

"Precious, beautiful little girl, lying there lifeless," he said.

Officers, EMS, and fire personnel located the infant and police said she was in need of immediate medical care. She was transported to the trauma center at UTMB Galveston, where she later died.

Galveston police provide update after baby girl found on street passes away

The Galveston Police Department provided an update after a baby girl was found dead on a Galveston street. However, she later died, officials said.

In a news release Wednesday night, police said Hannah died from traumatic injuries police allege Channel inflicted on Hannah.

"The child perished from bodily harm, from trauma," Chief Doug Balli.

Police haven’t confirmed the cause of death, but some hotel goers have ideas of what happened.

"That baby was thrown on the ground, because there was a blood spot where the baby's head was. And in the sand, it was a body mark," said Donna Coach, a hotel guest.

"This is a horrible crime. All children deserve to feel safe when around loved ones, especially with their own mother," said Chief Doug Balli. "The Galveston Police Department is committed to bringing justice for Hannah and ensuring the safety of all children in our community."

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Police encourage anyone in the vicinity of the crime that may have video surveillance cameras to review any footage for information that may be beneficial to the investigation. If they have anything, they should call police detectives at 409-765-3777.

If anyone feels they have other information pertaining to this incident that may be helpful to law enforcement, they are encouraged to contact Galveston Crime Stoppers at 409-763-TIPS (8477) or visit their website at www.galveston.crimestoppersweb.com. All tips are anonymous.

Channel Yonko is being held in the Galveston County Jail with no bond.