HARRISON COUNTY, Texas — EDITOR'S NOTE: The child's correct age is 3 months old not 3 years old.
A teen father has been arrested in connection with the death of his 3-month-old child in Harrison County.
Daniel Villarreal, 17, has been charged with injury to a child causing serious bodily injury. He was booked into the Harrison County Jail, the Harrison County Sheriff's Office said.
According to the sheriff's office, they received a call regarding a 3-month-old child, Emilia Villarreal, was taken to a hospital in Marshall. Villarreal was later flown to a Children's Hospital in Dallas.
On Oct. 11, the child was declared brain dead. An autopsy was requested, officials said. Further investigation showed the injuries were consistent with child abuse. Based on autopsy results, Daniel Villarreal was arrested.
"The sheriff said these cases are some of the most brutal and mentally trying cases to work as an investigator," the sheriff's office statement read. "I am proud of our investigators for the job they do. Unfortunately, this child's life ended so soon. Our thoughts and prayers are with the families and investigators in this case. God bless."