Topline: The girl was reportedly emaciated, weighed just 29 pounds, and was found in clothing that was soiled, according to court documents.
Published: May 8, 2025 7:30 am ET
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Virginia Gonzales (via Austin Police Department)
AUSTIN, TX — A Texas woman is facing first-degree felony charges after police say she imprisoned her 7-year-old daughter in a closet for weeks, severely starving and neglecting the child—a case that has also renewed questions about the disappearance of the woman’s other daughter, who has been missing since 2017.
According to KVUE, 33-year-old Virginia Gonzales was arrested after the child’s grandmother discovered the girl barricaded inside a closet on April 3.
The girl was reportedly emaciated, weighed just 29 pounds, and was found in clothing that was soiled, according to court documents.
Police said the girl had been confined in a space that measured less than 5 feet by 2 feet, without light or ventilation. Due to other items stored in the closet, the girl had only about 3 feet by 1 foot, 10 inches of room to herself.
The victim’s siblings reportedly told their grandmother that Gonzales forced them to lock their sister in the closet because of her incontinence and tendency to “get into stuff” or eat things she “was not supposed to.”
Her 10-year-old brother told police the girl was given just one corndog and half a cup of water per day. He was allegedly made to clean the closet, which the girl used as a bathroom, authorities said.
Doctors later determined that the 7-year-old suffered permanent brain damage from prolonged starvation. She was hospitalized and treated for refeeding syndrome — a potentially fatal condition that can occur when a severely malnourished person is suddenly reintroduced to food.
The girl and her six siblings, ranging in age from 2 to 14, are now in protective custody. Gonzales remains in jail.
The arrest has also resurfaced concerns about Gonzales’ other daughter, Ava, who was 9 years old when she disappeared in December 2017. According to the Austin Police Department, Ava has not been seen since.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
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Mother of Girl Last Seen 8 Years Ago Arrested After Police Find Another Daughter Locked in Closet
The girl was reportedly emaciated, weighed just 29 pounds, and was found in clothing that was soiled, according to court documents.
By Jacob Charles
Published: May 8, 2025 7:30 am ET
Virginia Gonzales (via Austin Police Department)
AUSTIN, TX — A Texas woman is facing first-degree felony charges after police say she imprisoned her 7-year-old daughter in a closet for weeks, severely starving and neglecting the child—a case that has also renewed questions about the disappearance of the woman’s other daughter, who has been missing since 2017.
According to KVUE, 33-year-old Virginia Gonzales was arrested after the child’s grandmother discovered the girl barricaded inside a closet on April 3.
The girl was reportedly emaciated, weighed just 29 pounds, and was found in clothing that was soiled, according to court documents.
Police said the girl had been confined in a space that measured less than 5 feet by 2 feet, without light or ventilation. Due to other items stored in the closet, the girl had only about 3 feet by 1 foot, 10 inches of room to herself.
The victim’s siblings reportedly told their grandmother that Gonzales forced them to lock their sister in the closet because of her incontinence and tendency to “get into stuff” or eat things she “was not supposed to.”
Her 10-year-old brother told police the girl was given just one corndog and half a cup of water per day. He was allegedly made to clean the closet, which the girl used as a bathroom, authorities said.
Doctors later determined that the 7-year-old suffered permanent brain damage from prolonged starvation. She was hospitalized and treated for refeeding syndrome — a potentially fatal condition that can occur when a severely malnourished person is suddenly reintroduced to food.
The girl and her six siblings, ranging in age from 2 to 14, are now in protective custody. Gonzales remains in jail.
The arrest has also resurfaced concerns about Gonzales’ other daughter, Ava, who was 9 years old when she disappeared in December 2017. According to the Austin Police Department, Ava has not been seen since.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor's Note: ThePo makes every effort to accurately transcribe the contents of affidavits of probable cause contained in criminal complaints. Often, the complaints themselves are copies of copies of faxed copies, and are difficult to read. To confirm the accuracy of our transcription, contact the Magisterial District Court listed above and request a copy of the criminal complaint. It's a public record to which you are entitled.
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Editor Picks
Latest Articles
Mother of Girl Last Seen 8 Years Ago Arrested After Police Find Another Daughter Locked in Closet
The girl was reportedly emaciated, weighed just 29 pounds, and was found in clothing that was soiled, according to court documents.
By Jacob Charles
Published: May 8, 2025 7:30 am ET
Virginia Gonzales (via Austin Police Department)
AUSTIN, TX — A Texas woman is facing first-degree felony charges after police say she imprisoned her 7-year-old daughter in a closet for weeks, severely starving and neglecting the child—a case that has also renewed questions about the disappearance of the woman’s other daughter, who has been missing since 2017.
According to KVUE, 33-year-old Virginia Gonzales was arrested after the child’s grandmother discovered the girl barricaded inside a closet on April 3.
The girl was reportedly emaciated, weighed just 29 pounds, and was found in clothing that was soiled, according to court documents.
Police said the girl had been confined in a space that measured less than 5 feet by 2 feet, without light or ventilation. Due to other items stored in the closet, the girl had only about 3 feet by 1 foot, 10 inches of room to herself.
The victim’s siblings reportedly told their grandmother that Gonzales forced them to lock their sister in the closet because of her incontinence and tendency to “get into stuff” or eat things she “was not supposed to.”
Her 10-year-old brother told police the girl was given just one corndog and half a cup of water per day. He was allegedly made to clean the closet, which the girl used as a bathroom, authorities said.
Doctors later determined that the 7-year-old suffered permanent brain damage from prolonged starvation. She was hospitalized and treated for refeeding syndrome — a potentially fatal condition that can occur when a severely malnourished person is suddenly reintroduced to food.
The girl and her six siblings, ranging in age from 2 to 14, are now in protective custody. Gonzales remains in jail.
The arrest has also resurfaced concerns about Gonzales’ other daughter, Ava, who was 9 years old when she disappeared in December 2017. According to the Austin Police Department, Ava has not been seen since.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor's Note: ThePo makes every effort to accurately transcribe the contents of affidavits of probable cause contained in criminal complaints. Often, the complaints themselves are copies of copies of faxed copies, and are difficult to read. To confirm the accuracy of our transcription, contact the Magisterial District Court listed above and request a copy of the criminal complaint. It's a public record to which you are entitled.
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