Texas police are criticizing an Austin judge after the court granted a woman accused of beating her three-month-old child $250 bail so she could be released from jail.
Brittney Bailey, 31, is a free woman despite her arrest in March for beating her three-month-old daughter.
Police are also investigating the death of the infant’s twin found in the home, but no charges have yet been filed.
Despite the ongoing investigation into the murder, local Magistrate Judge Tania Jeffers agreed to reduce Bailey’s bail to $250.
Brittney Bailey, 31, is accused of physical abuse of her 3-month-old baby and is under investigation in the death of a second baby, according to Austin police.
“The mother brutally beats her defenseless three-month-old child and the twin is found dead.
“A heinous crime against an innocent child…” tweeted Austin police union president Michael Bullock.
“Our criminal justice system is broken. Maybe one day we can find judges who actually care about protecting victims instead of coddling criminals.
Judge Tania Jeffers was elected to her position in March
Paramedics were called to an apartment where Bailey was staying with her newborn twins on March 10.
One of the twins was not breathing after Bailey claimed the baby fell out of bed, local station KVUE reported.
The baby who reportedly fell out of bed also had cuts and bruises to his face.
Bailey blamed her 17-year-old daughter, telling police she saw the teen playing roughly with the newborn and even throwing a cellphone at him.
Although Bailey was not charged in that baby’s death, police noticed what they believed to be signs of abuse on the dead baby’s twin sister.
An investigation into child abuse was opened regarding the baby at home, while the twin taken to hospital died.
When this baby was examined at the hospital, doctors found injuries to his lips, cheeks and nostrils as well as bruising to his forehead and neck.
There were also numerous fractures to both legs and possible rib fractures.
This little girl died on March 15.
Doctors did not believe Bailey’s version of events, writing in their report to police that the baby’s injuries were “attributable to forces generated by someone with the strength and coordination of an adult.”
The twins’ father saw Bailey being rough with the baby on several occasions, but claimed she would beat him when he tried to intervene.
While investigating the baby’s death, police noticed signs of abuse on the other twin.
Bailey was charged with injury to a child, a first-degree felony, for the twin who is still alive.
Bailey was originally given a $40,000 bond.
Meanwhile, the investigation into who, if anyone, will face charges in the other twin’s death remains open as police await an autopsy, Austin police told DailyMail.com.
“Additional charges may be filed,” the agency confirmed.
However, Bailey’s attorney submitted a request to reduce Bailey’s bond, claiming she was “indigent,” according to court records.
On April 23, Jeffers reduced Bailey’s bond to $250. The mother was released from prison the next day.
As part of his bail, Bailey must wear a GPS monitor for 90 years and has a curfew from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m.
Bailey was initially given $40,000 bail, but her attorney submitted a request for a reduction on the grounds that she is indigent, and Judge Tania Jeffers agreed to reduce it to $250 on April 23. Bailey was released the next day.
“In general, it seems to be a lackadaisical attitude towards detaining people when they commit violent crimes.
“We don’t seem to worry that violence means something else is likely to happen.”
Jeffers did not immediately respond to a request for comment for DailyMail.com.
Additionally, nothing in the terms of her bond prevents Bailey from seeing the child if she is accused of abuse.
Bullock called Jeffer’s decision a “slap in the face” to the cops and victims in the case.
“You have a little child unable to communicate, unable to defend themselves,” he said. “The only real advocate they will have is the person investigating the case.” Seeing the person who caused the harm released is a slap in the face for the police officer, not to mention the victim.
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