"Toddler John" ALANIZ - 3 yo/ Accused: Arlene Alaniz - Houston TX

Houston mom accused of starving 3-year-old son, tying him to crib

by khou.com staff
khou.com
Posted on November 9, 2011 at 11:31 AM

HOUSTON – A Houston mom is facing charges after her 3-year-old son was rushed to the hospital in cardiac arrest.

Arlene Alaniz, 28, is charged with injury to a child.

According to court documents, her 3-year-old son was taken to Texas Children’s hospital on October 2, 2011.

When he arrived, doctors said he was severely malnourished, weighing only 26 pounds.

Doctors told police the boy had multiple bruises, cuts and scrapes all over his body and was suffering from severe failure to thrive and decreased muscle mass.

Doctors said it was not clear if the child would survive.

Investigators interviewed the boy’s 4-year-old brother, who said his mother hits the younger child because he’s always crying.

The 4-year-old said she also ties his little brother, who eats through a feeding tube, to his crib to keep him from escaping.

According to court documents, Alaniz told CPS investigators that she is depressed. She said her younger son’s feeding tube fell out a few days prior to his hospitalization, so she used tape to keep it in place.

Alaniz told investigators she did not know how her son got all of his injuries.

Doctors, however, said his condition was consistent with abuse.

Charges were filed against Alaniz on November 8, 2011.

She was being held Wednesday in the Harris County Jail.

http://www.khou.com/news/Houston-mom-accused-of-starving-3-year-old-son-tying-him-to-crib-133542548.html