The woman charged with injury to a child in connection with the death of a five-year-old boy is allowed visitation rights with her baby.
A spokesperson with the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services said 22-year-old Nichole Turner is allowed a two-hour visit with her infant son every week. She is not allowed to visit her six-year-old daughter.
Turner bonded out of Travis County Jail after being arrested for injury to a child last week. According to an arrest affidavit, Turner admitted to beating five-year-old Julian Soliz with a belt. She told investigators she lost control.
A medical examiner found 59 contusions on Julian’s body. He died from internal bleeding caused by blunt force trauma.
In April, Julian’s family questioned why someone would want to hurt the boy.
“We are all grieving for him, and we want something done about this,” said Julian’s aunt, Rachel Cervantes.
Turner was the girlfriend of Julian’s father and was taking care of him the last week he was alive.
“She gave us a door to go through when she said she was the only person who had access to Julian when these injuries took place,” said Travis County Sheriff’s Office spokesperson Roger Wade.
More than 200 Texas children die from abuse and neglect every year.
Armin Steege with the Austin Children’s Shelter says adults should watch for outward signs that include frequent bruising and aggressive behavior.
“A lot of times children will be very hyper alert, hyper sensitive, hyper vigilant, always watching what people are doing around them and more careful than kids usually are at that age,” said Steege.
More signs of child abuse are available at a Texas Department of Family and Protective Services website: http://www.dfps.state.tx.us/itsuptoyou/recognize.asp
If you suspect abuse, call the Texas Abuse Hotline at 1-800-252-5400.
