TEXAS- A woman in Houston, TX has been charged in connection with the death of her 9-year-old disabled daughter who was found in the refrigerator crisper. At the time of her discovery, the child, who suffered from cerebral palsy, weighed only 14 pounds.
Back in June, police said they discovered the child who has been identified as Ayahna Comb, wrapped in a blanket and stuffed into the crisper drawer. She was initially discovered after the NY Daily News says another child in the home and two friends went into the fridge to get a cheese stick.
Amber Keyes, 35, according to Harris County prosecutor’s, is now finally charged with injury to a child.
The reason why it took so long to bring charges against Keyes, according to a police spokesperson, is because it took months for the autopsy reports to come back. In addition, the report said because Ayahna was only 9-years-old, more testing had to be done.
The Houston Chronicle goes on to say Ayahna’s official cause of death is malnutrition and dehydration, she also had ulcers caused by immobility. According to charging documents in the report, the child had not visited a doctor in two years prior to being found dead because Keyes said she “moved around a lot.”
Keyes told authorities on Jan. 29, around 3 a.m., Ayahna stopped breathing. Keyes claimed she tried CPR, but couldn’t revive her child so she “panicked.” Instead of calling 911, she allegedly stuffed her child in the fridge and continued to collect social security benefits.
According to the Houston Chronicle report, this is not the first time Keyes has had problems with authorities relating to her children. In a specific incident in 2002, another child who was 13 at the time was allegedly being abused by a guy Keys was dating.
The report said the other child who was living inside the home has been placed with a relative of the father.
Currently, according to the Houston Chronicle Keyes was booked into the Harris County Jail this week and her bail is set at $50,000.
Read more: CHRON
Read more: New York Daily News
Photo: Houston County Sheriff’s Office/ Click2 Houston
