No bond for Donna man accused of daughter’s child abuse death

Jose Manuel Uresti

A 23-year-old Donna man is being held without bond over the death of his 3-year-old daughter, who authorities said is the victim of child abuse.

Jose Manuel Uresti, who is charged with capital murder of a person under 10 years old, made his first appearance Monday in the courtroom at the Hidalgo County Adult Detention Center.

He is charged along with the child’s mother, 25-year-old Wendy Sarai Rivera, who is charged with failure to report a felony and injury to a child. She remains jailed on $2.5 million in bonds.

Uresti was arrested at Anzalduas International Bridge on Saturday.

During a press conference that was streamed on Facebook from the Hidalgo County Sheriff’s Office on Monday, Sheriff J.E. “Eddie” Guerra said Uresti’s family convinced him to surrender.

He had fled to Rio Bravo, Mexico after deputies on Thursday responded to a call about an unresponsive child in the 9700 block of Klarissa Drive in rural Donna at about 4:34 p.m.

Upon arrival, Guerra said the 3 year old was choking and unresponsive while Rivera and a witness performed CPR on the child. Deputies then assisted until EMS arrived and transported the mother and child to South Texas Health System Children’s in Edinburg.

Rivera told authorities that Uresti had dropped her off at the location to do her nails and while there, the child stopped breathing and became swollen. Guerra said Monday that Rivera called Uresti, who arrived at the location and tried to force her and the child into his car. They resisted and he fled, Guerra said.

Wendy Sarai Rivera

At the hospital, authorities learned the child had bruises to her face, legs and torso as well as burn and bite marks to her leg and chest area. The child also had lacerations, Guerra said.

Following his arrest, Uresti told investigators that he hit and bit the child on several occasions last Thursday. He said he slapped the child in her face to discipline her, which caused her to go unconscious. He then shook the child who regained consciousness, Guerra said.

The abuse that day began at Rivera and Uresti’s mobile home in the 130 block of El Dorado Road in rural Donna, Guerra said.

The child was pronounced dead last Thursday at 5:32 p.m. and an autopsy determined she died of blunt force trauma.

Guerra called the case heartbreaking and that his office will work tirelessly to bring justice for the child.

“This tragedy is a stark reminder of protecting the most vulnerable members of our community,” Guerra said.

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