CPS Supervisor: Worst Abuse of Autistic Toddler in 10 Years

Background of the Case

In Waco, Texas, a trial is currently taking place in the 474th State District Court involving Kandis Rene Eaton, a 42-year-old woman from Lorena. She is facing a first-degree felony charge for allegedly causing serious bodily injury to her child. The incident occurred in June 2023 when Eaton failed to seek prompt medical care for her non-verbal, autistic daughter, who suffered severe injuries including a lacerated pancreas, six broken ribs, a split lip, and multiple bruises on various parts of her body.

Eaton’s boyfriend at the time, Jeffrey Lynn Nevarez, who was under house arrest as a parolee, pleaded guilty in April 2024 to causing the injuries. He is serving a 20-year prison sentence. The indictment against Eaton states that she intentionally and knowingly caused serious harm to her child through omission.

Testimonies from Prosecution

During the prosecution's case, Alyssa Ortiz, a CPS supervisor, testified about the severity of the child's injuries. She described the extent of the physical abuse as the worst she had encountered in her decade with the department. Ortiz began her investigation after a sheriff’s deputy reported the injuries following a meeting with Eaton. She noted that Eaton could not provide clear answers about how the child was injured and claimed the child was not bruised when she left for work. Eaton attributed the injuries to the child being "clumsy" and expressed no concern about Nevarez harming her older daughter.

Following the CPS investigation, Eaton lost her parental rights to both children. The older girl, whose father is in prison, was placed with an aunt, while the younger child is in foster care awaiting adoption.

Defense Arguments

The defense attorney, Bryan Cantrell, requested a directed verdict of not guilty, arguing that the state did not prove that Eaton's decision not to take her child to the hospital caused further injury. He pointed out that the child did not require surgery for the lacerated pancreas and had stopped vomiting by the time she reached the hospital. The child recovered and was released after three days of treatment, including IV fluids, bed rest, and food. However, Judge Alan Bennett denied the motion.

Neighbor's Testimony

Melissa Trevino, Eaton’s former neighbor, testified about an encounter where Eaton came to her home after discovering her daughter's extensive bruising and lethargic condition. Trevino described the child as whining in pain and advised Eaton to seek immediate medical attention. However, Eaton was hesitant, fearing that CPS would be involved and that she might test positive for marijuana. Instead of going to the hospital, Eaton went back to her home to gather belongings. After confirming that Eaton did not take the child to the hospital, Trevino called 911 and filed a neglectful supervision complaint.

Sheriff’s Deputy Testimony

Sheriff’s Deputy Joel Cardona testified about his response to the call. He met Eaton at her workplace, where she planned to spend the night with her daughter to avoid Nevarez. Cardona and two other deputies inspected the child and took photos of her injuries. Eaton asked what she should do and whether she should take the girl to the hospital. Cardona told her he thought she would be fine but reported the injuries to CPS. He later admitted he should have done more that night, saying, “I dropped the ball.”

Cantrell acknowledged Cardona’s remorse and mentioned that two other experienced deputies also assessed the situation similarly and did not instruct Eaton to take the child to the hospital.

Ongoing Trial

The defense testimony will continue on Thursday morning, as the trial progresses. The case highlights the complex interplay between personal responsibility, legal accountability, and the role of community support in protecting vulnerable individuals.