FORT WORTH, Texas, Sept. 22 (UPI) -- The mother and sister of a 17-year-old Texas girl doctors say starved to death have been arrested and charged in the case, authorities said.
Leosha Barnett's older sister and her mother have been charged with injury to the disabled, accused of causing serious bodily injury to the mentally challenged girl through malnutrition despite having a legal duty to care for the teen, the Fort Worth Star-Telegram reported Tuesday.
The Tarrant County medical examiner's office ruled Leosha's death a homicide, caused by protein and caloric malnutrition.
Kyreshi Lynn Tara Stevenson, 21, has been held since Sept. 8 in the Tarrant County Jail with bail set at $35,000.
Leosha's mother, Tasca Kuniko Johnson, 36, surrendered last week and was immediately released after posting a $25,000 bond.
Lesa Pamplin, Stevenson's attorney, called the case "sad."
"This child was not expected to live from birth. She had a myriad of medical problems, but she lived until she was 17," Pamplin said. "Kyreshi's mother was going through some personal issues. [Stevenson] was trying to take care of her kid and her mother's children, and I think she was overwhelmed by everything, but nothing was done intentionally."
When found dead in her bedroom May 21, Leosha had been living with her older sister in Fort Worth.
Medical records showed Leosha had gone from 180 pounds at age 13 to 142 pounds as of Aug. 27, 2009. Nine months later, at the time of her death, the 5-foot-4-inch teen had dropped to 79.8 pounds, the arrest affidavit said.
A doctor who reviewed portions of the case told Fort Worth police detectives there was "no doubt of starvation based on the weight loss and appearance of" Leosha's body, the affidavit stated.
