Woman Indicted for Injury to a Child

Diamond Leshawn Pender has been named in a three-count indictment charging her with injury to a child. She has already been named in a one-count indictment for the same charge.

Police say the indictments are related to an incident in August 2012 in which Pender's boyfriend, Jacquel Torran O'Neal,  sexually abused Pender's 7-month-old daughter.

Copperas Cove police were sent to an address on Pinto Drive in response to a report that an infant was bleeding from the vaginal area, and that the mother knew of the bleeding but did not want authorities involved and therefore did not take the child to the hospital.

The girl was taken to Scott & White Hospital in Temple and treated for severe vaginal bruising and tearing, as well as numerous bruises, fractures in both legs, three broken ribs, and a burn on her abdomen.

Pender claimed to be unaware of the injuries. O'Neal said he used his finger to clean out the infant's vagina while changing a diaper, the burn was likely caused by a cigarette he was smoking, and the girl frequently fell off of the bed.

A boy who lived in the home said in an interview at the Belton Child Advocacy Center that he saw O'Neal press the infant's abdomen "until she pooped," hold her by the ankles, hit her, and scratch her legs. He said Pender was present during the abuse and that the couple would argue about it.

Pender and O'Neal are both being held at Coryell County Jail on charges of injury to a child with severe bodily injury. Pender's bond totals $500,000 and O'Neal's $1 million.