WARNING: This story contains graphic details that may be disturbing to some readers.
Balch Springs, Texas – Authorities have taken a Texas woman into custody following the shocking discovery of her 19-year-old autistic daughter’s emaciated and mummified body in their home near Dallas.
Crystal Canales, 41, faces a second-degree felony charge of serious bodily injury to a disabled person after officers from the Balch Springs Police Department found the remains of her daughter, Delilah Villegas, in a deteriorated state on February 14.
Balch Springs officer Pedro Gonzalez, visibly shaken while speaking to reporters, described the scene: “She looked like she was in a mummy state… curled up on the floor. It was just unrecognizable for a 19-year-old to be in that position.”
Authorities responded to the residence on Horseshoe Trail after receiving a 911 call from Canales, who reported that her daughter was struggling to breathe and required CPR. However, when officers arrived, it was evident that help had come too late. A strong odor of decay led them to the girl’s bedroom, where they found her body lying near a single mattress, severely malnourished with exposed wounds and visible bone protrusions.
Investigators determined that Villegas had been dead for at least four hours, but the Dallas County Medical Examiner’s Office estimated she could have been deceased for up to 24 hours. Officers initially mistook her for a 13-year-old due to her extreme malnourishment.
Interviews with family members revealed that Villegas was autistic and nonverbal, prone to violent outbursts that made interactions difficult. According to an affidavit reviewed by Live5News, Villegas’ grandmother claimed she had not seen the young woman in weeks, while her great-uncle stated he had not seen her for a year.
Police previously conducted a welfare check at the home in 2021 and reported no immediate concerns. Authorities also noted that Villegas had an older sister. Despite the tragic circumstances, Gonzalez stated that Canales was regarded as a loving mother and that no prior reports of abuse had been filed. He emphasized that earlier intervention and closer monitoring might have prevented the situation from escalating to this point.
Canales was initially booked into the Balch Springs Jail and is awaiting transfer to the Dallas County Jail. Meanwhile, the grandmother and great-uncle are not currently facing charges.
Credit: Live 5wcsc
