Honduran Babysitter Sought In Death Of Central Texas Toddler
Honduran Babysitter Sought In Death Of Central Texas Toddler Save Email Print
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(March 29, 2008)—Berny Figueroa, 29, of Brenham is wanted for capital murder in the death of a 2-year-old Central Texas girl.

KBTX –TV reports that the girl was short of breath when her parents picked her up at Figueroa’s home, where the Honduran woman was babysitting the toddler.

They took her to Trinity Medical Center where she died a few hours later.

"We found her lower intestine was severed from the small intestine," said Brenham Police Detective Lloyd Powell, “which means something significant had to hit her in the stomach area to cause that damage to her."

On Friday, police discovered that Figueroa had left the area.

She’s now the focus of a national search.

"We do have some leads as to where she is," Powell said.

"We have several state and some federal agencies that are going to help us out in locating Ms. Figueroa."

Authorities think Figueroa may have returned to her native Honduras.
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Posted by: Cutefemmegirl Location: Va. Beach, Va. on Apr 8, 2008 at 08:23 AM
To Caseworker: I can understand your comment about living off the system and collecting Welfare, but why Workmans Comp.? My Husband was seriously injured at work and collects it. He never sued (although he could have) - because when he's better, he wants to go back to the same job, in the same capacity. Workman's Comp. is nothing to be ashamed of. Don't be so judgemental, please.
Posted by: dad Location: work from home on Apr 5, 2008 at 10:18 AM
to Mom Location: Waco on Apr 5, 2008 at 02:44 AM. people need to stop buying new cars, 70" tvs going out to eat everynight. and i bet they want need daycare. most of the time one income will be enough. and another thing find something to do from home i do and i make 300.00 to 600.00 a week. and my wife works. and i am home with the kids. my wife makes the money that we run around on. p.s if you need daycare you dont need a 200,000 house, new cars. get back to the old way of living put money in your pockets.don't work for two weeks to make a house payment that is nuts.
Posted by: Mom Location: Waco on Apr 5, 2008 at 02:44 AM
I don't usually comment on these things but I have read a few different stories and read some of the comments.And time and time again, people keep blaming the parents for the tragities that happen to their babies while with the baby-sitter.I do agree that the parents need to get to the sitter as much as possible before they hire someone.However, I do not understand all the comments about how parents need to just stay home and watch their own kids and not hire a sitter at all.Wow!That is such a great idea!Do you people really think That these parents wake up every morning and say"I sure am glad you have to stay with someone else today, I just really don't love you enough to want to stay home with you, sorry."First, I would like to know what century are you living in?And second, where do you get you income?Was it inhereted, lotto winnings, found a blank million dollar check on the street?Or does at least one of you work?If so I what do you do because I sure would like to stay home all day
Posted by: Rita Location: Fort Carson, CO on Apr 4, 2008 at 10:26 PM
First of all illegals shouldn't be here. 2ndly, I've always felt that parents shouldn't put their kids in the hands of someone they barely know for babysitting. The parents should've worked their ways around taking care of the child.
Posted by: anonymous Location: Austin on Apr 4, 2008 at 10:26 PM
Where is the Bounty Hunter when we need him?
Posted by: Dave Location: indianapolis on Apr 3, 2008 at 06:07 PM
Neither political parties can be trusted when it comes to the illegal immigration occupation of our country. More states are trying to enact strict laws for enforcement against predator employers. However, THE SAVE ACT has the teeth and packs the punch, to halt this pestilence overwhelming our wilting economy. Very few Senators and Representatives have THE PEOPLE' S best interest in mind. The Democratic hierarchy have specifically been pandering to special interest groups, and very few have offered to co-author THE FEDERAL SAVE ACT. Keep calling your Democrat Representative today, toll free numbers include 1-877-851-6437 and 1-866-220-0044, or call toll 1-202-224-3121 AND REGISTER YOUR OUTRAGE at ongoing efforts to keep our country from enforcing its immigration laws! Learn the suppressed news about the border fence at: AmericanPatrol Liberty Post
Posted by: Marie Location: H H on Apr 1, 2008 at 03:59 PM
Oh my, that really hurt smarterthanyou. NOT! Stupid playground retorts sounding like dumb and dumber.
Posted by: smarterthanyou Location: texas on Apr 1, 2008 at 02:56 PM
marie you really got me there!what are you a toddler
Posted by: Marie Location: Harker Heights on Apr 1, 2008 at 11:03 AM
Smarterthanyou, that's what I thought, you've realized your first post was not so smart (10 times worst) now you've changed to (10 times more). Smart would be thinking before you post. :)
Posted by: native Location: texas on Apr 1, 2008 at 10:20 AM
Sane-Ideas... have you forgotten that the Spaniards came here first, forced their language , religion, traditions and multiplied with the native peoples here? We who live in the 21st century have no control and not responsible for the wrongs of this country's past. ALL countries have laws that people must obey and ALL countries have taxes people must pay. A lawless nation??... yep, that's just what we need!! BTW, Native Americans don't acknowledge or celebrate Columbus Day....go figure!
Posted by: Anita Location: Temple on Apr 1, 2008 at 09:37 AM
LMAO@Anonymous, What kind of language is that? It's not English or Spanish! LOL :D
Posted by: caseworker Location: texas on Apr 1, 2008 at 08:37 AM
Hey Baby! Just for info I work for the Food stamp office and the ratio of recipients is 60% black,30% hispanic and 10% white. What the couple in Jasper did was so very wrong but the child is not dead. It all boils down to if she was not here illegally the child would still be alive. My best friends daugter was attacked two weeks after her high school graduation by two illegals and left for dead after the raped and cut her up so bad with a broken beer bottle she almost did die. She will never be able to bear children due the injuries inflicted upon her. Make sure you know your facts before you start spouting off. As to the white man not working,my husband and myself have worked all our lives for what we have. No one in our whole family has ever drawn a penny of welfare or even workmans comp. We work hard so we keep our jobs. We have a ranch and do all the work ourselves. We never hire out anything.We are no stranger to getting our hands dirty or working all day in the hot sun.
Posted by: ginny Location: central texas on Apr 1, 2008 at 07:41 AM
i think we need to stop giving jail sentences to these people and start giving death!!!!!!!!! no apeal no waiting 5-10-20 years. give them death a week after they are sentenced. a week so they can think about what they did and what is going to happen to them. stop using tax money to support murders. bet alot of this would stop.
Posted by: Sane-Ideas Location: Texas on Apr 1, 2008 at 07:02 AM
As I read these comments about this child and the horrific thing the babysitter has done. It makes me wonder if what we say about illegals is true? As you all should know.. 'WE' have done the same here, as we took this nation from the Indians (The Real Americans) and called it ours to do with as we please. Yet we still never own anything since the tax3es you pay tell us you will not own it, if you dont pay up. So who is really the illegals here? In the idea of prosicuting one person that was here from another country as we came from I am for that dont get me wrong. Why is it, we never have had to go back to the place we were actually from if we had done something so horrid to any one person? The cry for a stable nation is now. We have to unite as one to do things to learn about people and their past with things that we have at hand in our technology we are supposed to be or have as a superior country.
Posted by: TEXASLEGAL on Apr 1, 2008 at 06:34 AM
There is a trial going on right now in Bell county. Youg girl was killed east of Temple by a drunk illegal. Four kids killed in the school bus accident in MN by an illegal. The three high school kids killed in NJ by a illegal. It is a long list. There are four people killed in the US by illegals everyday. Visit alipac.us for more info.
Posted by: TEXASLEGAL on Mar 31, 2008 at 10:36 PM
Has nothing to do with race folks. It has everything to do with the law. She was a criminal before she did anything to that poor child, does not matter what race she was. If our laws were actually enforced she would not have been here to hurt that innocent child. Our pandering, asleep at the wheel Governor and legislators are to blame. Oh and Baby by your grammer usage, I am sure you are gainfully employed..:)
Posted by: Reality Check Location: Whack em Waco on Mar 31, 2008 at 06:49 PM
Now I hear that she left because of the "scrutiny" was too much to bear. She even failed a polygraph. Sounds like she felt the noose tightening. Get a rope!!!!
Posted by: ann Location: tx on Mar 31, 2008 at 05:17 PM
KBTX is also reporting that Figueroa failed her lie detector test before skipping out. Her brother failed his on the whereabouts of his sister. The 2yr old victim's last name is Lopez. Another case of hispanics hiring/harboring illegals, only this time it turned tragic.
Posted by: Anonymous on Mar 31, 2008 at 05:13 PM
ANITA CLOTHES UR MOWTH AWAYS TALLKIN THRASH..........
Posted by: Anonymous on Mar 31, 2008 at 05:10 PM
ME your as (ignorant) as ERIKAGARCIA FROM MEXIA is... LOL :D
Posted by: ABC Location: WACO on Mar 31, 2008 at 05:06 PM
ONCE AGAIN , THIS IS NOT ABOUT THIS INHUMAN PIECE OF TRASH BEING FROM A DIFFERENT COUNTRY , IT'S ABOUT THIS POOR LITTLE BABY GIRL ,WHO THIS PIECE OF TRASH KILLED HER FOR NO REASON AT ALL .PEPOPLE WHO HAVE KILLED CHILDREN HAVE COME FROM ALL WALKS OF LIFE ,BROWN ,RED,BLACK,WHITE, AMERICA, AND OTHER COUNTRIES ,AMERICANS ARE NOT SAINTS IF YOU READ THE PAPER OR WATCH T.V. YOU'LL SEE THIS HAPPENING ALOT HERE IN OUR OWN COUNTRY , MAY GOD HELP OUR LITTLE CHILDREN THAT ARE BEING ABUSE!!!! AND I HOPE THAT PIECE OF TRASH GETS A DEATH SENTENCE!!!!
Posted by: Baby Location: Texas on Mar 31, 2008 at 04:54 PM
To smarterthenyou: You took the words right out of my mouth. White people is always say that the Illegal do all the wrong things in the U.S. But look what a white couple did to that black child in Jasper. Also if the illegal are here in the U.S is to work cause for sure a white male is not going to be out in the sun getting sunburn all there waiting for is for the foodstamps to come in Oh and by the way you white people tomorrow is the first FOODSTAMPS. Don't step on you'll tail.
Posted by: Texan Location: Always on Mar 31, 2008 at 03:25 PM
AMEN! TexasLegal
Posted by: Smarterthanyou Location: texas on Mar 31, 2008 at 02:32 PM
Marie the 10 times more includes -killing 5 of your children, throwing your children off a bridge, putting your child in a microwave, shooting 2 of your children these are just a few from this month .Oh and by the way I am not hispanic just not your typical country bumpkin.
Posted by: TEXASLEGAL on Mar 31, 2008 at 01:38 PM
According to KBTX in Brenham: Figueroa is a citizen of Honduras and police believe she may have fled there. Nuf said. This wold not have happened if she had not been in the country ILLEGALY. This was 100% preventable folks. Attrition through law enforcement does work. Texas needs to start now...
Posted by: Anita Location: Temple on Mar 31, 2008 at 12:39 PM
Hey Erika, you should learn to spell correctly and use proper grammar before calling others "ignorant". lol
Posted by: Marie Location: Harker Heights on Mar 31, 2008 at 11:50 AM
Smarterthanyou...please explain what kind of crime is 10 times worse than killing a small defenseless child, THEN hiding from the law? You and ERIKA are ignorant sickos if you think because she is hispanic, she should get a lighter sentence than other races that murder children. You 2 are the perfect example of the hispanics who make our hispanic community look bad!
Posted by: arlene Location: killeen on Mar 31, 2008 at 11:40 AM
texas has the biggest abuse rates out there why... Not much is done to those. Who do the deed. Protect your children. Stay home.
Posted by: jada abernethy Location: killeen tx on Mar 31, 2008 at 10:40 AM
I glanced at some of the comments regarding this story and here is my take on the issue. I personally don't care if a person is legal or illegal when it comes to protecting our children. Plenty of "legals" have abused our children and the focus should be on the abuse! Our laws need to change and any person found abusing a child really needs to be under the jail or at least in general population in our state prisons. How many children suffer and die before the adults in this country step up and protect them AT ALL COSTS? The punishments are not fitting the crimes. I think it's time to address our lawmakers and let them know that we will no longer accept minimal sentencing for maximum crimes. Any violent crime should take precedence over non-violent crimes and jail time should be maximum! Reading the comments below causes me to lose hope in our society...surely we all have more sense than this!
Posted by: smarterthenyou Location: texas on Mar 31, 2008 at 10:27 AM
You people are all so simply full of your self. Do you really think that because this person was illegal it had to do with her doing such a horrific thing. Get over your self, people born and bred in this country do things 10 times worst.So maybe we should begin sending some of you away.Oh and by the way I guess none of you want to comment on the situation in Jasper where the white couple duct taped a black child. Dont throw stones when you live in a glass house!
Posted by: Erika Garcia Location: Mexia on Mar 31, 2008 at 10:08 AM
Ppl are so ignorant. it does not matter what race u come frm, crime is done in every race!...And no where in hte story did it say she way an illigal immigrant!... the guy that talks about hanging...boy your going pshyco on us!...i would for sure not leave my kids wit u!..but yes i do agree that u should treat ur babysitters!..and know frm what kind of backkground they come from!...There is no excuse to hit a child so hard to cause their death. They need to find her and stick her in jail!!!...for awhile!...
Posted by: Anonymous Location: waco on Mar 31, 2008 at 10:01 AM
Why are we making this about race. No matter her legal or illegal background this is about a child. Listen to the news every night. No matter white brown black. People today have no conscience. Our kids today seem to be numb to feeling bad about hurting someone. If you go back before the government took the rights of parents to discipline our kids maybe some of these killings of or children and fellow man would not be so rampant. I feel the parent that raise these monsters should take a good look at themselves.
Posted by: Patriot Location: Tx on Mar 31, 2008 at 09:45 AM
Me from Central Texas, you took the words right out of my mouth!! If she was legal, why would authorities think she running back to Honduras? What kind of thorough background check can parents really make on a foreigner with a green card? And Anonymous, turn your caps lock off.
Posted by: me Location: tx on Mar 31, 2008 at 09:11 AM
I had a German babysitter too when my child was little. She was great! I wonder if this Honduran was illegal and this terrible murder was committed because of race hate? She's a coward and hope she's found!
Posted by: Concerned Location: Texas on Mar 31, 2008 at 09:03 AM
No where in the story did it say she was illegal so before you start the illegal immigrants bashing read the full story.
Posted by: Anonymous on Mar 31, 2008 at 08:45 AM
THIS PERSON NEEDS TO BE DELT WITH STIFF PENALTY.PEOPLE LETS NOT BLAME THIS ON PEOPLE FROM OTHER COUNTRIES BECAUSE ALL OF THE PEOPLE FROM HERE CLAM TO BE HALF THIS AND HALF THAT AND WE ALL KNOW WHAT THAT MEANS ABOUT PEOPLES FORE MOTHERS,BUT THE GOOD PEOPLE FROM THIS COUNTRIES WILL BE THE ONES TO LET HER OFF WITH LITTLE TIME AND NOT THE DEATH SENTENCE AND DATE NO MATTER WHERE SHE IS FROM OR WHAT RACE SHE IS,RIGHT IS RIGHT AND WRONG IS WRONG NO MATTER WHERE YOU ARE FROM
Posted by: Me Location: Central Texas on Mar 31, 2008 at 08:35 AM
Once again, someone trying to save a few dollars by hiring an uncertified illegal learns their lesson the hard way. When they come to this country ILLEGALLY, they show a wanton disrespect for our laws... so save your "honest/hardworking" propaganda for someone else.
Posted by: AC Location: East Texas on Mar 30, 2008 at 11:34 PM
My prayers are with the family and I hope justice will be served. I do hope these parents do not blame them selves. If a child's own mother or father can commit these horrible things, a baby sitter can too.. To Roberto, I am American and for anyone to judge others by where they came from is ignorance. Be proud of where you came from and be proud of your ancestors, that is what makes us who we are. Knowing right from wrong and having a good heart is the key. There are just as many Americans commiting horrific crimes everyday as there are people from other countries.
Posted by: Reality Check Location: Whack em Waco on Mar 30, 2008 at 11:08 PM
Once again our laws are too soft. This woman will probably, get probation and request help from her consulate in Honduras. If our laws were stronger, she would know what to expect, and wouldn't have committed the crime. An eye for an eye surely is deserved in this matter, better yet the death penalty, swiftly and justly! Remember, a baby has been killed!
Posted by: Buzzm1 Location: SF Bay Area on Mar 30, 2008 at 09:49 PM
Please get involved in getting rid of aall illegal immigrants Automatically Send an email, or fax to your representative CAPPS Immigration Issues http://capwiz.com/caps/issues/ NumbersUSA Action - free faxes http://www.numbersusa.com/actionbuffet Contact your Senators and Representatives - office staff email addresses: http://tinyurl.com/2r7q6e suspicious activity?? 1-866 DHS 2ICE. 1-866-347-2523 Report Employers/Employees Internal Revenue Service (IRS) fraud/criminal investigations number is 1-800-829-0433 reportillegals.com Please pass this on to friends and family.
Posted by: Rick Location: new york on Mar 30, 2008 at 09:00 PM
WTF is it with these defective parents who think that leaving your kid with one of illegal scumbags is a GOOD IDEA?
Posted by: Texan Location: Always on Mar 30, 2008 at 06:21 PM
I agree TexasLegal! Roberto, there's evil in every race. It just makes Texans more angry if we think the murderer is illegal, especially when a small child is the victim. I hope this monster is found! Parents... ALWAYS do background checks on babysitters!
Posted by: anonymous on Mar 30, 2008 at 05:31 PM
Now you see why you don't allow illegals in the United States, if they commit a crime, they hightail it back to their own country. I would go find her myself. What a coward this woman is. I cannot believe this keeps happening. Where are the neighbors of these families? Didn't anyone hear anything?
Posted by: roger Location: Texas on Mar 30, 2008 at 05:24 PM
Hondurans are criminalistas y animales. We have to deport at least 60,000 this year.
Posted by: Vicki on Mar 30, 2008 at 03:58 PM
In 1989 I used a gal who had a green card I paid top dollar for her services to watch my kids two days 4 hours while I was at school. I found out that she arrived in the USA pregnant therefore was allowed to stay with her anchor baby. My daughter told me she would bring her daughter who would hit and stomp on my daughter and call her a white "B" I got rid of her and hired a Aupare from Germany. I learned the hard way that a lot of people envy us and what better way to retaliate then to hurt the most presious thing we have our defensless children! I can't even imagine what babysitters do to our kids when people underpay them as well because they are here illegally.. God help the baby's! I think we need to wake up and know who is with our kids at all times!
Posted by: Bobby Location: Long Beach, Aztlan on Mar 30, 2008 at 03:55 PM
Authorities think Figueroa may have returned to her native Honduras. Well, thank God for the authorities. Are they the same ones, for instance, who won't do anything about stopping so many of the rapists, child abusers,murderes, etc. from coming here in the first place. Americans are going to get more of it when they will not make their corrupt politicians put a stop to who it is that just comes over the border for a "better life."
Posted by: Hon. Robert Berger Lynch Location: Palominas, AZ on Mar 30, 2008 at 02:40 PM
Govt licensing is no safeguard. A wise parent checks out baby sitters BEFORE hiring one. This is a case of parental carelessness and someone who is evil. If found guilty the babysitter should be executed; and not by "painless" lethal drugs. I want people hanged.
Posted by: TEXASLEGAL on Mar 30, 2008 at 08:13 AM
How tragic and sad. Our prayrers are with the parents. May have returned to her native Honduras? Does that mean she was illegal? If so, this is another case of murder that was 100% preventable...
Posted by: ................ Location: Texas on Mar 29, 2008 at 10:49 PM
They make it too easy for ANYONE to babysit someones kids without a license!
Posted by: Roberto Location: San Antonio, Texas on Mar 29, 2008 at 08:52 PM
I hope they catch her, it really enfuriates me that not only someone would hurt a child, any child, but worst of all for me, that she is from where I was born and raised, Honduras. Makes me ashamed to tell people that I am from Honduras. No wonder people don't like hispanics, just look at the way she represents us. My heart goes out to the parents of both, the victim and the killer.
Posted by: Anonymous on Mar 29, 2008 at 02:16 PM
Oh my...I'm so sorry this happend to your child!!! I'm sick of people hurting our kids like this!! May the lord be with you during the time and I hope they find the so-called babysitter.
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