A Marfa couple has been indicted on felony charges of injury to a child after their infant daughter died of malnutrition when a feeding tube became dislodged and medical care was allegedly not sought, according to court records and reporting by the Big Bend Sentinel.
A grand jury returned the indictment January 13 against Zachary Stevens, 33, and Ashley Hernandez, 40, both of Marfa. Texas Rangers and officers with the Marfa Police Department arrested the pair February 19. They were released four days later on $50,000 bonds.
The indictment alleges Stevens and Hernandez “intentionally or knowingly” caused serious bodily injury to a child younger than 14 by failing to seek medical attention after a gastrojejunostomy feeding tube became dislodged and by failing to provide adequate food and nutrition, resulting in severe malnutrition and the child’s death.
Authorities say the infant died around December 11, 2024. The child’s name has not been publicly released.
It is unclear what medical condition the child may have had. Gastrojejunostomy feeding tubes are commonly used in pediatric cases when a child cannot tolerate food in the stomach.
Bill Parham, assistant district attorney for the 83rd Judicial District, previously told the Big Bend Sentinel that the case moved slowly to indictment because prosecutors had to review a large volume of medical records.
The injury to a child charge is a felony under Texas law and can carry lengthy prison sentences depending on how the offense is prosecuted.
