A California family is facing a long and uncertain future after their son was allegedly injured by his caregiver. Tonya Hamilton, who provided care to the infant, has been accused of shaking him, causing serious brain injury. Her alleged actions have led to severe medical issues that could cause a lifetime of problems for the baby. In the weeks since the incident, the boy has already undergone hours of surgeries, and there’s no timeline for when he will be released from the hospital. Now, his family is speaking out about the pain they’re all experiencing.
Deputies from the Madera County Sheriff’s Office responded to a call of an unresponsive 3-month-old boy on January 13, 2026, a news release noted. The baby was rushed to the hospital, where he had emergency surgery because of severe head trauma. Doctors determined his injuries were not consistent with any kind of fall.
“Following a thorough investigation, the non-relative caregiver, 50-year-old Tonya Hamilton, was arrested and booked into the Madera County Jail on felony child abuse-related charges,” the statement read.
The parents of the baby, identified as Braxton Musselman and Tori Nelson, spoke with KSEE/KGPE about the incident. They said Nelson got a FaceTime from Hamilton, who told the mom she had fallen on Braxton. She told them that when she woke up, the baby was unresponsive.
After arriving at the hospital, the boy was in surgery for six hours. What doctors told the couple after the surgery stopped them in their tracks.
“He explained to us that his injuries weren’t consistent with a fall … they were consistent with a baby that had been shaken. And at that point he had no other choice as a mandatory reporter to involve CPS and involve the authorities,” shared Braxton’s father, Chris Musselman.
“It’s been absolutely tragic. No parent should ever have to go through this. No child should ever have to be treated this way,” Musselman insisted.
“He cries, but his cry is different. You know, your babies cry and like what they want and need. And I just don’t know anymore,” Nelson said, per KSEE/KGPE.
Because of his extensive injuries, Braxton had to have the right side of his skull removed, the parents revealed. “So the day that he comes home, we don’t know if he will come home with a skull or without a skull,” Nelson added.
In addition to his brain injury, Braxton’s pupil ruptured, according to a GoFundMe account set up by the Musselman family. The brain injury was so serious Braxton initially had no use of the left side of his body. Since then, he has regained “very minimal movement” on that side.
“The doctors have been honest with us: the road ahead will be long, uncertain, and incredibly expensive. Braxton faces potential lifelong challenges, including neurological issues, possible seizures, vision problems, physical therapy, multiple surgeries, specialized equipment, and ongoing medical care that our family simply cannot afford on our own,” the family explained on the page.
Funds raised will go toward covering medical bills, as well as future procedures and therapies. It also will help cover lost wages and housing for the family while Braxton recovers. In addition, the family will have to make their home adaptable for their son and hope to have their dog trained into a seizure-detecting service animal.
According to People, Tonya Hamilton has been released on bond. She is scheduled to appear in court on March 9.
If you suspect child abuse, you can call the Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline at 1-800-422-4453 (1-800-4-A-Child) or go to Childhelp.org. The hotline is available 24/7.
