HOUSTON, Texas – A woman is out on bond after the Harris County Sheriff’s Office reported that she beat her 4-year-old goddaughter, leaving the child in critical condition. Thirty-year-old Tameria Barnett now faces charges of first-degree injury to a child.
On Tuesday, police responded to a call from a hospital about an injured child. Four-year-old Londlyn Anthony was found with signs of abuse and was transferred to Texas Children’s Hospital in serious condition. Sheriff Ed Gonzalez later posted on X that the girl had allegedly been beaten daily for months.
The sheriff’s office launched an investigation and discovered that Barnett had been caring for the child since September. Officials revealed that Barnett is a close friend of Londlyn’s biological mother and her godmother. The child’s mother is currently incarcerated.
An arrest warrant was issued, and Barnett was taken into custody at the Harris County Jail on November 29.
In court on Monday, prosecutors revealed disturbing details about Londlyn’s abuse, stating that Barnett had beaten her with bruises, soft tissue swelling, and other injuries.
“I’m praying for a miracle so she can come home before Christmas,” said Kerrick Anthony, Londlyn’s father. “I’m really just here for my daughter. Justice for my daughter. Justice for Londlyn.”
Court records detailed the abuse, revealing that Barnett had critically injured the child for months using a belt, a cord, her hands, and an unknown object.
“My daughter has screws in her head to monitor her brainwaves. She’s on life support still currently. She can’t breathe by herself. Her ribs are bruised,” Anthony said.
Anthony explained that he entrusted Londlyn to Barnett’s care while he moved. He mentioned that his family had recommended Barnett, and he trusted her as the godmother.
“I feel like I just let my child down, like I’m responsible. I personally feel responsible, but I’m not responsible,” said Anthony.
Barnett has a criminal history involving violence. In 2018, she was charged with assault after hitting a woman with her fist.
“We don’t have any of the evidence. We don’t have the police report right now. We don’t have the discovery, so she is presumed innocent right now,” said Sylvia Escobedo, Barnett’s court-appointed defense attorney.
Londlyn remains at Texas Children’s Hospital, where she is recovering. Barnett was released on a $100,000 bond. A judge set conditions for her release, including staying away from minors under 17 years old and wearing a GPS tracker. She is due back in court in February 2025.
