Jasmine Yonko, a 31-year-old Texas mother, was convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced to life in prison without parole for killing her 17-month-old daughter, Hannah, in Galveston on October 23, 2024.
Incident Timeline
The tragedy began the day before when Yonko stabbed Hannah three times in the back at a condo, fracturing her rib, though the child survived initially. The group—Yonko, her sister, and the sister’s fiancé—then moved to the Beachfront Palms Hotel after a dispute. Surveillance video captured Yonko wheeling Hannah’s stroller to the top floor, where she threw the toddler over a fourth-floor balcony, causing fatal injuries including a head gash; Hannah died shortly after at a hospital.
Investigation and Trial
Police found Hannah critically injured in the street around 9:45 a.m. and located Yonko nearby, distraught and mentioning her daughter’s possible “sickness.” Evidence included a discarded trash bag with a room key, a bloody “skinning” knife, and baby items. Yonko claimed to a psychologist that demons possessed Hannah, aiming to “send her to heaven,” but prosecutors highlighted her post-act actions like ordering an Uber to flee and hiding evidence, disproving the insanity defense.
Key Statements
Yonko invoked her right to a lawyer during questioning, while her sister noted odd behavior like urging her not to return to the hotel. Galveston Police Chief Doug Balli emphasized that all children deserve safety from loved ones, especially mothers. The week-long trial featured graphic video footage, sealing the life sentence verdict.
