A Texas woman is behind bars after a heartbreaking case involving the death of a 16-year-old girl with disabilities under her care. The girl, Nayeli Perez, was found dead in her bedroom weighing just 78 pounds. Tracy Gonzales, 48, is now facing charges for injuring a disabled person with serious bodily harm.
The tragic events came to light on March 25 when Houston police received a call about a death at a home on East 32nd Street, located in the city’s north side. When officers arrived, they found Nayeli’s body in her bedroom, showing signs of unexplained injuries. An autopsy later revealed her death was a homicide.
Police investigations uncovered a disturbing series of events leading to Nayeli’s death. At some point, Gonzales was granted custody of Nayeli and began receiving disability checks meant to provide for the girl’s care. However, instead of ensuring Nayeli’s well-being, Gonzales reportedly neglected her. Authorities say she failed to seek help for Nayeli as her health deteriorated, fearing she might lose custody of her own children.
Shockingly, Gonzales admitted to using a belt to discipline Nayeli, saying she would close her eyes and didn’t know where the strikes landed. According to police, she claimed she resorted to hitting Nayeli because of the girl’s struggles with eating and using the bathroom. When officers found Nayeli’s body, she was wearing only a diaper because all her clothes were soiled. The autopsy revealed she had suffered malnutrition, dehydration, and stab wounds to her genitals.
Neighbors were stunned by the news. Frank Rodriguez, who lives nearby, recalled that Nayeli used to go to school with his daughter but stopped attending about a year ago. He said Gonzales often gave excuses for her absence. Before that, Rodriguez said, Nayeli seemed like a typical, happy girl.
Court documents indicate Nayeli had the math and reading skills of a first grader. Just two years ago, she reportedly weighed around 40 pounds more than when she died. Investigators noted that Gonzales was Nayeli’s foster mother and had been responsible for her care.
Gonzales, now in custody at the Harris County Jail, is being held on a $200,000 bond. Her next court appearance is scheduled for January 7.
