Ashley Kay Harper: Texas mom, 19, charged with murder after hitting 2-month-old daughter Eva Salene Diaz
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AMARILLO, TEXAS: Teen mom Ashley Harper, 19, has been arrested for allegedly murdering her two-month-old toddler at an Amarillo, Texas home. The mother was taken to custody by the cops on Tuesday, February 28, after her daughter was found dead just about one week ago. As per officials investigating the case, they were able to establish that Ashley Kay Harper had injured the baby by February 21, when the alleged attack took place around the evening, 6.25 pm. Amarillo Police Department also claim that they reached the W.Central Avenue residence and found the newborn had stopped breathing.
“A two-month-old female was deceased at that location when responders arrived. As with all infant deaths, the Amarillo Police Department Homicide Unit was called to investigate the incident,” said the police department in a statement. “During the investigation, evidence was found to place the mother, 19-year-old Ashley Harper, under arrest for Injury to a Child", they further added.
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The case upgraded from felony injury to a murder charge
The investigators were able to attain a murder warrant in the case seven days after the death of the infant. KVII identified the victim as Eva Salene Diaz. According to the reports, the defendant had allegedly confessed to hitting the baby in the head with her hand. Law & Crime after reviewing Potter County Detention Center records reported that Harper is currently held on a bond of $750,000 for the murder charge. The investigators clarified that the case is still considered in a pre-indictment stage and the purpose of issuing the warrant was to upgrade the charge from mere felony injury to a murder charge.
What does Texas law say?
As per Texas law, the first-degree injury to a child charge applies when an offender ‘intentionally’ or ‘knowingly’ causes serious bodily injury to a victim under the age of 14. Though that charge itself is punishable by five to 99 years in prison upon conviction, however, the murder allegation could make this into a capital case.
“[She was] born at 5:51 am on December 7, 2022, weighing a healthy 6 pound and 9 ounces with a full head of hair and a big smile,” read the baby’s Obituary. It continued, “She was an incredibly energetic and happy baby who loved her parents. She was spoiled and loved her animals. Her smile lit up the room with its bright and precious glow.”
