A Texas woman is under arrest after police allege she dropped her 17-month-old daughter from the balcony of a hotel, killing the child.
Hannah Yonko was found lying in a pool of blood on the pavement by police in Galveston, Texas, on Wednesday, Oct. 23, according to the Galveston Police Department and a probable cause affidavitreviewed by PEOPLE.
Authorities arrested 30-year-old Channel Yonko of Houston in connection with the killing and charged her with capital murder, per Galveston police.
Authorities initially received reports of an abandoned, “unresponsive child bleeding” on a pavement on Wednesday morning, according to the affidavit. The child, identified as Hannah, was taken to a hospital where she was pronounced dead.
Doctors at the hospital allegedly told police Hannah had three puncture wounds, per the affidavit.
During their investigation, detectives retrieved security footage from the hotel showing Hannah falling from the third floor, “landing in the grass and rolling onto the concrete sidewalk,” the affidavit states. Police allege Channel “intentionally” dropped her.
Nearby, inside the trash bin in the hotel’s garage, police say they found a bag with Channel’s hotel room key, a “skinning” knife, toys and children’s snacks, among other items.
A memorial for Hannah Yonko.
KHOU 11
Mercedes Yonko, Channel’s sister, allegedly told police the three were booked into a room at the Beach Front Palms Hotel, per the affidavit. She allegedly said that on Wednesday morning, they were getting ready to check out of the hotel when she briefly left to see her fiancé at a nearby hotel.
At one point, she saw Channel at that hotel with a stroller, which Mercedes initially thought was carrying Hannah, she allegedly said. When Mercedes decided to go back to their hotel, Channel allegedly told her several times not to return, according to the affidavit.
Channel is being held without bond at the Galveston County Jail, per police. While she reportedly declined to speak with police and asked for a lawyer, it wasn’t immediately clear who the lawyer is and whether a plea has been entered.
Anyone in the vicinity of the alleged crime who has video surveillance cameras is urged to review any footage for information that may help the investigation. Detectives investigating the case can be reached at 409-765-3777.
Others who feel they have potentially helpful information related to the case are urged to contact Galveston Crime Stoppers at 409-763-TIPS (8477) or visit their website at www.galveston.crimestoppersweb.com. All tips are anonymous.
