Texas Foster Mother Charged After Disabled Teen Dies in Tragic Case of Neglect

Texas foster mother arrested on charges of causing serious bodily injury to a disabled person. ( Photo Credit: Law and Crime)

Texas Woman Charged After 16-Year-Old Disabled Girl Dies Weighing Just 78 Pounds

A Texas woman faces serious charges after the tragic death of a 16-year-old girl with disabilities under her care. Tracy Gonzales, 48, was arrested and charged with injury to a disabled person with serious bodily injury.

The Houston Police Department launched an investigation on March 25, responding to a call about a deceased person at a home in the 700 block of East 32nd Street on the city’s north side. When officers arrived, they discovered Nayeli Perez dead in her bedroom, her body showing signs of severe neglect and abuse.

Details of the Investigation

An autopsy determined Nayeli’s death was a homicide. Investigators revealed that Gonzales, Nayeli’s foster mother, had been receiving disability checks meant for the teenager’s care but allegedly failed to address her declining health. Authorities claim Gonzales did not contact medical professionals or social services because she feared losing custody of her biological children.

Court documents state that Gonzales admitted to disciplining Nayeli with a belt, often closing her eyes and striking the girl without knowing where the blows landed. Gonzales reportedly claimed her actions were due to Nayeli’s struggles with basic tasks like using the bathroom and eating food.

When police discovered Nayeli’s body, she was malnourished, dehydrated, and weighed just 78 pounds. She had stab wounds to her genitals, and her clothing was soiled, leaving her clad only in a diaper. Gonzales reportedly told officers she had been away all day and returned to find Nayeli unresponsive, describing her as “a little hard.”

The Victim’s Decline

Nayeli, who had the math and reading skills of a first grader, weighed approximately 40 pounds more just a year earlier, according to court records viewed by Savage RoyalT Ent. The teenager had stopped attending school about a year prior, with Gonzales allegedly offering excuses for her absence.

Neighbor Frank Rodriguez, whose daughter attended school with Nayeli, noted that before her disappearance from school, nothing seemed obviously wrong.

Legal Proceedings and Charges

Gonzales is currently being held at the Harris County Jail on a $200,000 bond. Her next court date is scheduled for January 7, where prosecutors are expected to present further evidence regarding the horrific neglect that led to Nayeli’s death.