El Paso aunt to remain held on $1M bond; accused of severely beating boy

UPDATE, June 3: EL PASO, Texas — An El Paso judge on Thursday afternoon refused to lower the million dollar bond for a woman accused of severely beating her 4-year-old nephew, leaving him hospitalized in critical condition.

The attorney for 31–year-old Jessica Nuñez had sought a bond reduction, arguing that she has been diagnosed with mental health conditions including bipolar disorder. The lawyer also said Nuñez is currently four months pregnant in addition to being the parent of several other children.

But Magistrate Judge Sara Priddy rejected the defense request and agreed with a recommendation from prosecutors that bond not be lowered.

UPDATE, June 2: EL PASO, Texas — The aunt of a 4–year-old Lower Valley boy who is clinging to life in a hospital has been arrested and faces felony charges for allegedly injuring the child and his sister while acting as a caregiver, police announced Wednesday.

31–year-old Jessica Nuñez was being held in the downtown jail on over a million dollars bond for two counts of Injury to a Child.

The boy "was found with multiple life-threatening injuries to include a brain injury, a collapsed lung and lacerated liver" when paramedics were called to his home at 8869 Bob Kennedy Way on May 22, police said in a statement Tuesday.

Investigators indicated the boy's 5-year-old sister was also found injured at that same time - but unlike her sibling, the girl's injuries weren't life-threatening.

ORIGINAL REPORT, May 22: EL PASO, Texas -- An injured child was hospitalized Saturday evening following an incident in El Paso's Lower Valley.

The child, whose age and sex were not identified, was rushed to the hospital from a home at 8869 Bob Kennedy Way.

The extent of the injuries and the child's condition were unknown.

Red crime scene tape was posted outside the home with a police unit monitoring the area.

Police and fire officials didn't immediately respond to requests about what unfolded in the neighborhood.