An East Texas mother, Tori Huggins, reportedly died from a cardiac event after being jailed for the severe abuse of her 23-month-old toddler, who was found to be in critical condition with severe physical injuries. The tragic events unfolded after Huggins and her boyfriend, Adam Woods, were implicated in the abuse and neglect of the young girl.
According to the Trinity County Sheriff’s Office, investigators were alerted to the case after the toddler was discovered malnourished, dehydrated, and suffering from a broken left forearm that had been untreated for at least two weeks. The child was also covered in bruises, which were in various stages of healing. In horrifying detail, authorities revealed that the child had been consuming human feces and candy wrappers, which caused a dangerous blockage in her abdomen.
The toddler was rushed to the hospital, where she underwent a blood transfusion. After receiving emergency medical treatment, the child was placed in the care of Child Protective Services (CPS). Despite initial stabilization, a mass in the child’s abdomen, caused by blunt force trauma, ruptured shortly before her second birthday. She required surgery and the insertion of a drain tube to manage the damage.
Following the investigation, arrest warrants were issued for Huggins and Woods on charges of injury to a child. Huggins was taken into custody, and during her booking at the Wood County Jail, she informed correctional officers that she was suffering from depression and had suicidal thoughts. In response, Huggins was placed in a padded cell under close supervision to protect her from self-harm.
However, on March 21 at approximately 5:10 a.m., Huggins was found unresponsive in her cell. Correctional officers immediately initiated life-saving measures until EMS arrived and transported her to a hospital. Despite their efforts, Huggins was pronounced dead.
The final autopsy report concluded that Huggins died from cardiac arrhythmia and multiple cardiac anomalies, and her death was ruled “natural.” Despite her passing, the investigation into the abuse of her toddler continues, with Adam Woods still facing charges.
The Trinity County Sheriff’s Office, which had previously made arrests in an unrelated case of illegal dumping, reiterated its commitment to justice with the statement: “We don’t tolerate trash dumpers,” reflecting their zero-tolerance stance on any form of wrongdoing in the community.