A man and woman were charged after an autopsy showed that their prematurely born daughter had been violently abused and died as a result.
Jazmine Robin, the 10-week-old baby, had a premature birth that caused her to remain in the hospital’s care for many weeks and was later given back to her parents in healthy condition on July 3, 2018, Houston Chronicle reported.
The 10-week-old girl was born at 29 weeks and died on July 15, 2018, 12 days after she left the hospital.
The May 2019 autopsy revealed that Robin was killed by getting hit in the head. Bruises were found on the face and scalp, 96 fractures in total; including 71 rib fractures and a cracked skull, Fox 10 reported.
Baby born premature died with 96 fractures in her body: Autopsy https://t.co/k0SkVi9hkZ pic.twitter.com/cEoFK64MBI
— ABC13 Houston (@abc13houston) June 25, 2019
“The evidence shows that Baby Jazmine fell victim to the very people who were supposed to protect her the most in this world,” Harris County District Attorney Kim Ogg announced on June 24. “After a full and thorough investigation of the facts, we have filed charges, and will seek justice for young Jazmine,” Ogg said, the Chronicle reported.
Jason Paul Robin, 24, and Katharine Wyndham White, 21, were engaged to each other at one point, ABC 13 reported.
The 24-year-old father was charged with murder and the 21-year-old mother was charged with injury to a child by omission, Fox 10 reported.
The 10-week-old’s doctor suggested that the parents should take Robin to the hospital after finding bruises around her eyes on July 10, 2018.
According to prosecutors, on July 14 at 2 a.m., Jason woke up to feed Robin, but Robin initially didn’t want to be fed. After some time Jason claimed that the 10-week-old had gone limp and then successfully applied CPR and brought her back to consciousness.
A family friend who lived with the family of three told the police that the parents didn’t heed his advice when he suggested that they take her to the hospital after she choked on her bottle and her heart stopped. This occurred a week before Robin died, according to the Chronicle.
Robin was sent to Pearland Memorial Hermann Hospital on July 14, 2018, with clear indications of injuries to the head, ABC 13 reported.
The hospital staff then called the Houston Police Departments Special Victims Division to investigate the injuries and said there was “clearly inflicted head trauma,” the Chronicle reported.
Jason’s crime report revealed that the cause of death was due to a blunt object, while Katharine’s report showed that she knowingly caused intentional “serious bodily injury” by failing to take appropriate actions to protect her 10-week-old daughter.
Both parents face prison for life if convicted.
In a similar incident, two parents were charged with murder after the body of their 4-year-old boy was found in a well.
41-year-old Daniel A. Groves and 39-year-old Jessica D. Groves have been charged aggravated murder, murder, kidnapping, endangering children, tampering with evidence, interference with custody, gross abuse of a corpse, and four counts of felonious assault.
Born with illicit drugs in his system, 4-year-old Dylan Groves was taken into the custody of the Scioto County Children Services, shortly after his birth. He was allowed to return to his biological parents after Daniel A. Groves completing and agreeing to all of the requirements for family unification.
After the child was returned to his parents, according to Captain John W. Murphy, Daniel had initially been compliant with all of the terms he agreed upon. However, as Daniel started to miss court dates, home visits, and doctor appointments for the child, the Scioto County Children Services couldn’t locate either the child or the father.
On May 3, 2019, a children’s services worker came to the Sheriff’s Office, requesting assistance in finding the child. Deputies, along with the caseworker, went to the Groves’ residence but nobody was home. They repeatedly returned to the house on multiple occasions in an attempt to locate the infant and father but without success.
The father and mother were eventually spotted by the police officers on May 20. They tried to get away in a car, resulting in a pursuit. The police officers returned to their residence with a search warrant and arrested Jessica Groves without incident. Daniel Groves, who barricaded himself inside, was taken into custody after a six-hour standoff.
“If the couple is found guilty on all counts they face up to life in prison,” said Captain Murphy.
NTD News reporter GQ Pan contributed to this report.
