HOUSTON—The mother accused of killing her own 5-year-old daughter appeared in court Thursday and prosecutors revealed how they think the child died.
Authorities say Candy Flores’ young life was filled with abuse.
The hearing focused on where to place the nine other children that were living in the apartment where Candy died.
Her mother, Rosa Gonzalez, appeared in court wearing an orange jumpsuit and was surrounded by family members. They hugged her and were all wiping away tears during the emotional custody hearing.
Police began to question Gonzalez Tuesday night after her 5-year-old daughter died in the family’s apartment. Gonzalez claimed the child fell and hit her head.
But later police said she admitted to jerking the frail underweight child out of the shower. Investigator said Candy hit her head on the tub and died.
Gonzalez told police she’d abused her daughter since birth, that she slapped her, hit her with her fist, denied her food for days and tied her up with rope.
On Thursday Child Protective Services workers said the adults in Candy’s home should have reported the horrible abuse that was taking place, especially since the child was temporarily removed for abuse when she was less than a year old.
“That’s been four years since she’s back in the home,” said CPS spokeswoman Stella Ogluin. “That’s part of what we are doing. We are talking to the siblings to see what they can tell us. Why she was targeted, when did the abuse happen, was it immediately or was it in the last year or so?”
CPS workers said they closed the first case after the entire family went through counseling. It’s not clear why Candy was targeted.
Gonzalez was being held without bond on injury to a child charges.
