Ganado couple indicted on child murder

On February 25, 2021 at 01:48 hours a 4-year-old child was brought into the Jackson County Hospital Emergency Room, by his mother Karina Flores (21). She and the child had been dropped off by Damien Garza (39).     

According to Ganado Police Chief David Merritt, the child, Nehemiah Flores was unresponsive. The Jackson County Hospital Emergency Room staff performed cardiopulmonary resuscitation that started Nehemiah’s heart and continued rescue breathing for him. Karina Flores gave different accounts about what happened to Nehemiah that caused him to be brought to the hospital. Karina Flores was uncooperative. Numerous physical injuries, consistent with continuous long-term abuse, covered Nehemiah’s entire body.     

The Jackson County Sheriff’s Office, Ganado Police Department, and the Texas Rangers were contacted. Nehemiah was transferred to Texas Children’s Hospital in Houston.      

Merritt said it was learned that Karina Flores and Damien Garza had been living in Ganado for about two years. The child had been in their custody for about five- to six months. His grandparents had been taking care of Nehemiah in Houston since he was 3- to 4-months old, but they had contracted COVID-19 and were unable to care for him while sick.     

Investigation and interviews conducted by the Texas Rangers and Ganado Police Department lead to the arrest of Flores and Garza for Injury to a Child with Intent to Cause Serious Bodily Injury. Both were given $500,000 bonds.

Nehemiah Flores succumbed to his injuries on March 1, 2021 at Texas Children’s Hospital. His death was ruled a Homicide.     

This case was presented to the Jackson County Grand Jury on May 10, 2021. Both were indicted on one count each of: Capital Murder Injury to a Child Serious/Intentional, Manslaughter, Aggravated Assault-Serious Bodily Injury, Criminal Negligent Homicide.