A mum “intentionally dropped” her one-year-old baby from a window on the third floor of a hotel, leaving the infant to die as she fled the hotel, a court has heard.
Channel Yonko from the US has been refused bail after being charged with the murder of her 17-month-old daughter, Hannah Yonko.
The devastating incident took place in Galveston, Texas, when, according to an arrest warrant, Channel allegedly dropped her daughter from a hotel balcony. CCTV footage appears to show the tot plunging from the third floor to the ground below.
Court documents state that the child had three puncture wounds. After being discovered on the pavement, Hannah was rushed to Galveston’s trauma centre where she was pronounced dead shortly afterwards, reports the Mirror.
Police quickly identified and arrested Hannah’s mother, who had fled the scene. Channel was found wandering the streets about half a mile away from the hotel, initially telling officers her daughter was unwell. The mum behaved erratically and was crying, leading officers to escort her back to the station. However, once there, she refused to provide her name or cooperate with police.
The sinister missing child case escalated when the woman’s sister told police that she had seen Channel earlier pushing a pram at The Victorian, assuming her niece Hannah was inside but without confirming it. She unnervingly warned her, “Don’t return to the hotel.”
Upon investigation, law enforcement discovered from Beachfront Palms hotel employees that the troupe had been staying in room 217.
A garbage bag found in the hotel held a key card for this room, a knife used for skinning, and items like children’s clothes, snacks, and nappies, according to officials. Moreover, heart-wrenching CCTV footage showed the exact moment when little Hannah suffered the fall, as well as an image of Yonko with her alive toddler in the buggy beforehand.
Galveston police Chief Doug Balli said: “This is a horrible crime. All children deserve to feel safe when around loved ones, especially with their own mother. 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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