Texas Girl Dies After Parents Attempt to Treat Severe Injuries with Smoothies and Vitamins

Austin, Texas, US: A tragic incident unfolded in Texas, where a 12-year-old girl, Miranda Sipps, passed away after mysteriously sustaining “life-threatening” injuries that her parents attempted to treat with smoothies and vitamins, according to officials. Miranda died at a hospital on Monday after her parents, Denise Balbaneda (36) and stepfather Gerald Gonzalez (40), finally called emergency services when she struggled to breathe—four days after the injuries occurred.

In a surprising turn of events, Miranda’s mother reportedly fled their home with her daughter in a car after contacting emergency services, as she did not want police officers entering the house. During the escape, police stopped the vehicle near a highway, finding Miranda unconscious but still alive. She was immediately taken to the hospital, where she was later pronounced dead.

Investigators discovered that for four days, the parents had not sought professional medical care for Miranda, even though she was described as “mentally and physically incapacitated and non-responsive.” Instead, they allegedly kept her at home, feeding her smoothies and vitamins in an attempt to revive her. It is also suspected that they may have tried to administer oxygen during this time.

Atascosa County Sheriff David Soward told local media, “They believed they could nurse her back to health, and it seems they wanted to avoid the attention that would come if the girl’s injuries were reported.”

The parents stated that during those four days, Miranda was only able to “flutter her eyes and move her hands slightly.” The exact cause and nature of her injuries remain unclear, as an autopsy is being conducted to determine what led to her condition.

Denise Balbaneda and Gerald Gonzalez have been arrested and are facing charges of injury to a child causing serious bodily harm.