A Texas woman has been arrested following allegations that she dropped her 17-month-old daughter from a hotel balcony, resulting in the child’s death.
On Wednesday, Oct. 23, police in Galveston, Texas, discovered Hannah Yonko lying on the pavement in a pool of blood, as reported by the Galveston Police Department and detailed in a probable cause affidavit.
Galveston Police have charged 30-year-old Channel Yonko of Houston with capital murder following her arrest in connection with a homicide.
On Wednesday morning, authorities were alerted to an incident involving an abandoned child who was unresponsive and bleeding on the pavement, as detailed in the affidavit. A young girl named Hannah was transported to a hospital, where she was sadly declared deceased.
According to the affidavit, police were informed by doctors at the hospital that Hannah had three puncture wounds.
Detectives obtained security footage from the hotel that captured Hannah’s fall from the third floor, as detailed in the affidavit, showing her landing in the grass and rolling onto the concrete sidewalk. Authorities claim Channel “deliberately” let her fall.
In the hotel garage’s trash bin, authorities discovered a bag containing Channel’s hotel room key, a “skinning” knife, toys, and children’s snacks, along with other belongings.
According to the affidavit, Mercedes Yonko, the sister of the Channel, reportedly informed police that the three individuals were checked into a room at the Beach Front Palms Hotel. On Wednesday morning, she reportedly mentioned that they were preparing to check out of the hotel when she stepped out briefly to visit her fiancé at a nearby hotel.
At one moment, she reportedly stated that she spotted Channel at the hotel with a stroller, which Mercedes first assumed was holding Hannah. According to the affidavit, Channel repeatedly advised Mercedes against returning to the hotel.
Authorities report that Channel is currently in custody at the Galveston County Jail without the option of bonding. She reportedly chose not to speak with law enforcement and requested legal representation, but it remains unclear who the attorney is and if a plea has been submitted.
Individuals nearby the reported incident are encouraged to check their video surveillance footage for any details that could assist the investigation. For inquiries regarding the case, detectives are available at 409-765-3777.