Mom Arrested After 9-Month-Old Son Found Weighing Less Than 8 Pounds

A Houston mother was arrested and charged with injury to a child by omission after investigators said her 8-month-old baby was hospitalized weighing less than 8 pounds.

Walteria Bledsoe is accused of failing to provide adequate nourishment and failing to seek timely medical attention for the child.

In November 2012 the child was Life Flighted to Memorial Hermann Children’s Hospital and was diagnosed as being severely malnourished. A Child Protective Services worker said the 8-month-old was hypoglycemic and weighted only 7 pounds and 9 ounces. A child normally weights 17 pounds at that stage of life. Investigators said the child’s rib cage could be seen and his stomach was sunken in.

The mother said the baby was born 28 weeks premature and weighed 2 pounds at birth. She said the baby was hospitalized from his birth on Feb. 29 to May 5. She said the baby was having problems holding milk down and was consistently vomiting.

CPS took custody of the baby, as well as two of his brothers.

Bledsoe was released on $20,000 bond and was expected to appear in court Tuesday morning.

Article Source