Texas Mother Faces Potential Death Penalty After Allegedly Beating Infant Daughter to Death
(Image: Austin Police Department)
A Texas mother, Brittney Alisha Bailey, could face the death penalty after allegedly beating her three-month-old daughter to death and attempting to shift the blame onto her 17-month-old child. Police say Bailey conducted internet searches regarding shaken baby syndrome before accusing her toddler of causing the fatal injuries to her infant.
The tragic incident unfolded on March 10 when Austin police responded to an emergency call from The Revl Apartments on North Lamar Boulevard. The caller reported a small child who was unresponsive. Austin Fire Department and emergency medical services arrived and attempted to revive the infant with CPR before transporting her to the hospital, reported by Law and Crime.
Unfortunately, despite medical intervention, the baby succumbed to her injuries on March 15. Although authorities have not released a final cause of death, the baby’s twin sister also showed signs of physical abuse. “During the initial investigation, detectives uncovered evidence concerning the decedent’s twin sister having non-accidental injuries,” police stated in their report.
Bailey, 31, has since been charged with Injury to a Child, a first-degree felony, related to the injuries her surviving twin allegedly sustained. In initial statements to the police, Bailey claimed that her daughter had accidentally rolled off a changing table and hit her head while she was washing her hands, allegedly causing the baby to vomit.
However, Bailey later changed her account, suggesting that her 17-month-old child was responsible. According to ABC affiliate KVUE, Bailey maintained this version until police presented her with evidence refuting her story, at which point she reportedly nodded in acknowledgment, requested to use the restroom, and then attempted to leave the interview. Shortly after, she was arrested and later released on a $250 bond related to the injury of her surviving child.
The child’s autopsy, released in October, determined the death to be a homicide caused by blunt force trauma to the head. The report noted that the injuries were “highly suggestive” of previous head trauma, implying a history of abuse. Additionally, new court records reveal that, before her daughter’s death, Bailey allegedly searched online for phrases like “How do I know if my baby has been hurt or shaken.”
Bailey is now being held in Travis County Jail with a $600,000 bond, and her case has raised the possibility of capital punishment due to the severity of the charges. She is scheduled to appear in court on November 14, where further details of the investigation may be presented. The case continues to unfold, with authorities gathering evidence to fully understand the events that led to the tragic loss of life and the suffering endured by the surviving twin.
