The 5-month-old victim was allegedly brain dead when she was hospitalized on Sept. 29. The child ultimately succumbed to her injuries on Wednesday, according to investigators.
Glenn Wayne Smith and Jasmine Ellison were arrested for injury to a child and serious bodily injury.
The couple has no criminal history or past run-ins with child protective services.
What investigators find so disturbing about these allegations is that even if the injuries were inflicted accidentally, they're accused of watching the infant get worse and worse and waiting to bring her to the hospital.
Ellison is a mother in court for the part she allegedly played in the heart-sinking death of her baby girl, Ja'nae Smith.
"The abuse is said to have taken place over a four-day period or the most recent abuse in which the child was in the care of both this defendant and the child's father," prosecutors said.
The Harris County Sheriff's Office described Ja'nae's final days as a "horrific weekend that began on Sept. 26."
During that time, it is alleged that Ja'nae's father, identified in court records as Smith, was abusing the child, and Ellison failed to take action.
This all takes place inside their north Harris County home on Plumwood Drive.
Investigators say Ja'nae was partially paralyzed and throwing up blood, yet Ellison and Smith waited until Sept. 29 to call 911.
"The child was found with multiple serious injuries including swelling and bleeding of the brain-no brain activity at the time of admission-blood coming out of her mouth-broken ribs healed broken ribs," prosecutors said.
The child was assessed at the Texas Medical Center, where she ultimately died from her injuries.
"Medical staff said the injuries were likely caused by aggressively shaking the child," prosecutors said.
Ellison and Smith were questioned by detectives.
"Both ended giving statements that were inconsistent with the injuries," investigators said.
Ellison's court-appointed attorney claims the 23-year-old mom sought medical care for her daughter but didn't specify when.
"And was told to bring her in if the child got worse, and it appears the child declined while my client was at work," Ellison's court-appointed attorney said.
Eyewitness News spoke briefly with Ja'nae's grandmother, who investigators say often visited the couple's home, but she declined to comment.
Smith is being held on a $1 million bond, while Ellison's was set at $150,000.
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