HARLINGEN — A Harlingen woman has been arrested after police said she was negligent, resulting in the death of her two-year daughter.
Samantha Lee Gonzalez, 27, has been charged with a state jail felony for criminally-negligent homicide. Her bond was set at $30,000.
Police were called April 19 to a residence on the 1800 block of South 3rd Street in reference to an unresponsive child.
The initial information that was provided indicated the toddler had fallen down the stairs, police said.
The child, identified as Katalina Desiree Casteneda, was transported to the hospital by EMS, where she later died.
Crime scene technicians and detectives responded to process the scene for evidence and obtain witness statements.
The major crimes unit worked closely with the Cameron County district attorney’s office in reviewing the facts and evidence relating to this case, which resulted in an arrest warrant for Gonzalez.
She voluntarily turned herself in last Friday in the presence of her attorney. She has since posted bond.
By definition, criminally negligent homicide is when a person commits an offense if he or she causes the death of an individual by criminal negligence.
Police said the investigation remains active.
