12-Year-Old Girl Dies After Parents Neglect Treatment, Opt for Smoothies Instead

Atascosa County, Texas - A 12-year-old girl, Miranda Sipps, died on Monday after her mother and stepfather failed to seek medical treatment for her life-threatening injuries, instead trying to treat her with smoothies for four days, according to the Atascosa County Sheriff's Office.

"She was not talking. She basically could flutter her eyes and move her hands a little bit over a four-day period, and they had her laying on a pallet in the house... They were trying to give her smoothies, but somebody who is unconscious is not able to swallow." – Sheriff David Soward

Sipps' mother, 36-year-old Denise Balbaneda, and stepfather, 40-year-old Gerald Gonzales, have been charged with first-degree felony injury to a child by omission. They neglected to get medical help, even as Sipps' condition worsened, opting to keep her at home and ultimately causing her death.

The cause of Sipps' initial injuries is still under investigation, and authorities are working to piece together the full details of this tragic case.

Miranda Sipps would have celebrated her 13th birthday later this month.