A mom in Texas has been arrested after her baby was killed when he was ejected from her car during a crash, which she seemingly caused by running through a red light.
Officers with the Fort Worth Police Department arrested the baby’s mother, Karla Lopez, shortly after the accident took place earlier in March. Lopez, 17, has since been charged with reckless injury to a child resulting in serious bodily injury.
The baby has also been identified as Sebastian Reyes, who was just 6 months old at the time of the crash.
The fatal crash took place on March 7 near the intersection of Rock Island Street and Azle Avenue, police confirmed the Us Weekly. Officials said that the driver of the vehicle ran a stop sign and ultimately collided with another car.
The infant — who was unrestrained in the vehicle — was ejected from the car upon impact. Officials said that Reyes suffered serious injuries and emergency responders transported the infant to a nearby hospital. Medical staff at the hospital attempted life-saving treatment, though Sebastian couldn’t be saved and he ultimately died from his injuries.
The baby’s mother was transported to a local hospital for non-life-threatening injuries. After she was treated, she was arrested and taken to jail.
It is not currently clear if Lopez has entered a plea or retained legal representation following her arrest. The Fort Worth Police Department told Us they had no additional statements to share as of time of publication.
Police have not shared the condition of the other person involved in the car crash.
No additional details about the investigation have been released yet, and it’s not currently clear if Lopez may be hit with additional charges. The incident remains under investigation as officials continue to review the circumstances that led to the crash.
According to LaHood Norton Goss Law Firm, the reckless injury to a child resulting in serious bodily injury charge states that it’s “illegal to cause injury to a child by act or omission.”
Texas law states that people can be faced with the charge if they physically contact a child or engage in “some type of behavior that could result in injury to the child.” The law firm’s website added that someone may be charged with the crime “if they failed to do something to stop harm from being caused to the child, meaning they didn’t act at all.”
Additionally, the law states that anyone 14 years of age or younger is considered a child.
The sentencing for the charge is based on the degree of the crime.
Those found guilty of the charge as a state jail penalty can be sentenced to serve up to two years in state jail and/or be ordered to pay a fine of up to $10,000.
If the charge is a third-degree penalty, the individual could be sentenced to serve up to 10 years in prison and/or be fined up to $10,000. Those charged with a second-degree felony can be sentenced to up to 20 years in prison and/or to pay a fine of up to $10,000, while those hit with a first-degree felony could be sentenced to up to 99 years in prison and/or to pay a fine of up to $10,000.
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