Texas mother whose toddler died after being hit by car has been charged

HOUSTON – The mother of a toddler has been charged in connection with his death, police said.

Police charged Gissel Vazquez, 18, with endangering a child after her 1-year-old son was hit and killed by a vehicle.

According to authorities, the crash was reported about 1:15 p.m. Wednesday on Tierwester Street and Dixie Drive in south Houston.

The boy was following Vazquez through the parking lot of an apartment complex when a white Chevrolet Impala backed out of a space, hitting the child.

Vazquez appeared before a judge Thursday. Surveillance video showed Vazquez walking in the parking lot with a child in her arms and two small children walking behind her, prosecutors said. 

Vazquez and one of the children went inside, leaving her son outside. That is when he was hit, according to court documents.

Prosecutors said Vazquez left the child unattended and that is why she is charged in connection with her son’s death. 

A judge set Vazquez's bond was set at $10,000. Vazquez has since posted bail. The judge said Vazquez must comply with CPS should CPS get involved.

Cmdr. Salam Zia, of the Houston Police Department, said the driver originally left the scene but returned when officers were able to reach the driver by phone.

The driver was questioned and released, authorities said. 


About the Authors:

Daniela Sternitzky-Di Napoli has been a digital news editor at KPRC 2 since 2018. She is a published poet and has background in creative writing and journalism. Daniela has covered events like Hurricane Harvey and the Astros World Series win. In her spare time, Daniela is an avid reader and loves to spend time with her two miniature dachshunds.