12-Year-Old Texas Girl Dead, Parents Treated Critical Injuries With Vitamin Smoothies

12-year-old Miranda Sipps of Christine, Texas died Monday evening, four days after suffering life-threatening injuries in an incident still under investigation. Miranda's mother and stepfather elected to treat her at home with "smoothies with vitamins" instead of seeking immediate medical attention.

Denise Balbaneda, 36, and Gerald Gonzales, 40, were arrested Tuesday afternoon following Miranda's tragic death. Both were charged with first-degree felony for injury to a child by omission.

Miranda's mother called 911 four days after her young daughter sustained injuries that left her "largely unconscious" and in dire need of medical attention. Emergency responders tried to save Miranda, but it was already too late. She was pronounced dead in the emergency room not long after arriving.

Sheriff David Soward of Atacosa County said in a news conference,

"She was not talking. She basically could flutter her eyes and move her hands a little bit over a four-day period, and they had her laying on a pallet in the house."

Investigators suspect Belbeneda and Gonzales neglected to seek medical attention for their daughter to keep law enforcement from gaining access to their home. When they finally called for help, they met first responders by the road with her near-lifeless body. No other children were reported in the home.

Miranda Sipps was a cheerleader at Jourdanton Junior High School in Christine, a tiny town roughly 45 minutes from San Antonio. She would have turned 13 later this month.

Our thoughts are with Miranda and all those who loved her. Please keep this story close to your heart, and remember, if you see something, say something. Sometimes, you are the only advocate a child has. I can't say what led up to this particular instance, but the fact her parents likely didn't want police in their home rings alarm bells. This could have been an ongoing situation of abuse.

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