Mum 'cut off baby boy's genitals'By staff writers
May 15, 2007 11:14am
A HOUSTON woman who claimed her baby son's genitals were severed in an attack by the family dog appeared in court today charged with injuring her child.
Katherine Nadal, 25, told authorities the family dachshund had attacked then five-week-old Holden Gothia while she was taking a nap on March 13.
She was arrested after a custody hearing last Friday and charged with injury to a child, the Associated Press reported.
Ms Nadal, who was in handcuffs and cried during today's brief hearing, spoke only to tell the judge that she did not not work and had no money to hire an attorney.
Prosecutors said they could not speculate on the motive but authorities earlier said Ms Nadal tested positive for cocaine the day after the alleged attack.
Police said Ms Nadal used a "sharp instrument to cut and remove the genitals'' of the infant in her suburban Houston apartment. The severed body parts were never found.
Authorities said Holden was found, covered in blood, on a bed in his mother's home.
His genitals were severed and there was a deep cut in his upper leg.
Ms Nadal said the dog, named Shorty, attacked her son but a doctor and a veterinarian told authorities Holden's injuries could not have been caused by a dog.
The infant was held in protective custody until late April and was then released into the care of his father's older sister. He will live with his aunt until permanent custody is decided.
Camden Gothia, the boy's father, is seeking sole custody.
May 15, 2007 11:14am
A HOUSTON woman who claimed her baby son's genitals were severed in an attack by the family dog appeared in court today charged with injuring her child.
Katherine Nadal, 25, told authorities the family dachshund had attacked then five-week-old Holden Gothia while she was taking a nap on March 13.
She was arrested after a custody hearing last Friday and charged with injury to a child, the Associated Press reported.
Ms Nadal, who was in handcuffs and cried during today's brief hearing, spoke only to tell the judge that she did not not work and had no money to hire an attorney.
Prosecutors said they could not speculate on the motive but authorities earlier said Ms Nadal tested positive for cocaine the day after the alleged attack.
Police said Ms Nadal used a "sharp instrument to cut and remove the genitals'' of the infant in her suburban Houston apartment. The severed body parts were never found.
Authorities said Holden was found, covered in blood, on a bed in his mother's home.
His genitals were severed and there was a deep cut in his upper leg.
Ms Nadal said the dog, named Shorty, attacked her son but a doctor and a veterinarian told authorities Holden's injuries could not have been caused by a dog.
The infant was held in protective custody until late April and was then released into the care of his father's older sister. He will live with his aunt until permanent custody is decided.
Camden Gothia, the boy's father, is seeking sole custody.
