A Mom Allegedly Threw Her 17-Month-Old Baby From a Hotel Balcony & Left Her on the Street To Die

Police have arrested a Houston mother accused of killing her toddler. Channel Yonko, 30, allegedly injured her 17-month-old daughter, Hannah Yonko, and left her on a Galveston street to die. Galveston police reportedly arrived at the scene in the 3300 block of 59th Street after receiving multiple reports of an abandoned child. Sadly, police soon realized the child suffered significant injuries, and emergency crews took her to a nearby hospital. Hospital officials pronounced Hannah dead a short time later.

According to a release from the Galveston Police Department, police identified the mother as the prime suspect in the crime and took her into custody. Yonko was charged with capital murder and was being held in Galveston County Jail with no bond.

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Witnesses allegedly saw Yonko throw something from a window.

According to the Galveston County Daily News, Galveston Police Chief Doug Balli said witnesses claimed they saw a bag tossed from the third story of the Beachfront Palms Hotel at 5914 Seawall Boulevard. A short time later, police reportedly found Hannah nearly dead, wrapped in a blanket, lying in the road between a Kroger store and the hotel. Emergency crews administered life-saving measures at the scene before taking Hannah to an area hospital, where she later died.

Police quickly identified Yonko as the prime suspect.

Police determined the suspect was Yonko, Hannah’s mother, and took her into custody, according to a news release from the Galveston Police Department posted on Facebook.

“This is a horrible crime. All children deserve to feel safe when around loved ones, especially with their own mother,” Chief Doug Balli said in the release. “The Galveston Police Department is committed to bringing justice for Hannah and ensuring the safety of all children in our community.”

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Police did not release the exact cause of the toddler's death.

Balli said Hannah had injuries associated with a “significant” fall, the Daily News reported. Balli said that a preliminary investigation also showed injuries that predated the fall. Authorities haven’t determined Hannah’s exact cause of death.

“It’s really rare that we have anything with an infant. Infants can’t do anything but be hungry, sleepy, and they depend on us to provide everything for them. It’s just truly tragic when something like this happens,” Balli said.

The case remains under investigation.

Today, Yonko faces a capital murder charge in the death of her daughter. She appeared in court for a preliminary hearing and immediately returned to jail, Fox 26 reported. Police continue to investigate the crime.

Help is needed from the public. According to a news release via Fox 26, “Police encourage anyone in the vicinity of the crime that may have video surveillance cameras to review any footage for information that may be beneficial to the investigation. If they have anything, they should call police detectives at 409-765-3777.”

Anyone interested in making an anonymous report can contact Galveston Crime Stoppers at 409-763-8477 or www.galveston.crimestoppersweb.com.