On January 13, 2026, Tori Nelson received the call no mother should ever receive. Something terrible had happened to her 3-month-old son, Braxton Musselman, while in the care of trusted babysitter Tonya Hamilton. The 50-year-old sitter FaceTimed Nelson and showed her little Braxton lying unresponsive while first responders tried to revive him. Deputies from the Madera County Sheriff’s Office in California and emergency medical services transported Braxton to a hospital. Less than two weeks later, the sweet baby’s condition is thankfully improving, and Hamilton is facing charges.
The sheriff’s office shared in a news release posted online that doctors immediately took Braxton into surgery for severe head trauma. They quickly determined that the injuries did not result from a fall. An investigation found Hamilton responsible, and deputies arrested her. She faces a felony child abuse charge and will appear in court in March.
Braxton’s father, Chris Musselman, and Nelson spoke to ABC 30 about their son’s injuries. Musselman said when Nelson received the call, Braxton appeared “dead.” Crews rushed him to Valley Children’s Hospital to treat a brain bleed and ruptured pupil. Surgeons removed half of the infant’s skull due to severe swelling and pressure.
“Our three-month-old Braxton can’t talk, can’t explain to us, can’t ask for help. And just to see him lying in the hospital bed, it’s tough. We haven’t held him for almost two weeks,” Musselman told ABC 30. “To not be able to console your child, it’s heart-wrenching, and it’s something no parent should ever have to go through.”
Nelson added that the baby she left with Hamilton is not the baby she returned to them.
“Everything’s different with him. It’s like I had one baby that morning and then I came here, and now I have a whole other baby,” the heartbroken mother shared.
Loved ones created a GoFundMe account for Braxton’s family to help cover expenses during this extremely financially and emotionally draining time.
“We spoke with the neuro doctor who is in charge of the developmental side of things and he was able to give us a real transparent look into how serious of an injury Braxton suffered and reassured us he’s in the best hands he can be and they are going to give him the best fighting chance at a normal life,” the fundraiser reads. “We are extremely hopeful and thankful as we continue down this path to recovery. Thanks again to everyone who continues to show support.”
Authorities did not release what caused Braxton’s injuries, but the sheriff’s office did offer a reminder to caregivers.
“Shaking a baby, even for a few seconds, can cause permanent brain injury or death,” the sheriff’s office added in the news release. “If you are feeling overwhelmed, place the baby in a safe location and step away. Ask for help. There is never an excuse for shaking a child.”
Hamilton, who’s currently out on bond, needs to face the consequences of her actions. We hope the family can get the justice it deserves for little Baxton and that he’ll make a full recovery.
