1 week ago
5
MADERA, Calif. (KFSN) -- 51-year-old Tonya Hamilton has been charged with kid maltreatment successful a lawsuit involving a present five-month-old lad who suffered a terrible encephalon wounded and required 2 surgeries astatine Valley Children's Hospital, authorities said Wednesday.
Braxton Musselman, present recovering, was rushed to the infirmary astir 2 months agone aft helium was recovered unresponsive.
His mother, Tori Nelson, said seeing her lad grin again brings her relief.
"He's conscionable my small occurrence baby. He's doing truthful good. Just to spot him grin and laughter is each I tin inquire for," she said.
RELATED: Threemonthold recovering aft alleged abuse; Madera County babysitter released connected bail
Madera County District Attorney Sally Moreno said the kid was brought to the infirmary connected January 13 with a "very circumstantial benignant of injury," prompting an probe into who whitethorn person caused it.
"Then determination was an probe to find who could person inflicted that wounded and we consciousness astatine this constituent we person capable grounds to complaint Tonya Hamiliton with this number of inflicting wounded connected this infant," Moreno said.
Prosecutors filed a complaint alleging kid maltreatment resulting successful coma, encephalon wounded oregon imperishable paralysis.
"It's the astir superior we tin allege abbreviated of the decease of the child," Moreno said.
If convicted, Hamilton could look 7 years to beingness successful prison.
Moreno added that "assuming we get a condemnation connected this charge, the suspect volition person to spell done a parole committee to beryllium released."
Braxton's parents accidental the wounded has changed their lives.
"Quite honestly, nothing's going to springiness backmost what was taken from him," Nelson said.
His father, Chris Musselman, a U.S. Army Reservist, near his occupation arsenic a sergeant with the Department of Corrections to enactment with Braxton afloat time.
"I don't judge that anybody that has wounded a kid deserves oregon should beryllium astir different kid again," helium said.
Nelson, a registered caregiver successful Fresno, continues to enactment portion visiting her lad arsenic often arsenic possible.
"I conscionable commune nary 1 other has to spell done this. It's honestly 1 of the hardest things," she said.
Hamilton is expected to look successful tribunal for arraignment connected March 9. Both Chris and Tori said they program to beryllium wrong the courtroom for that hearing.
In the meantime, babe Braxton volition acquisition an MRI to find his merchandise date.
For quality updates, travel Christina Lopez connected Facebook, X and Instagram.
Copyright © 2026 KFSN-TV. All Rights Reserved.
