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Background: A section of the 800 block of Humble in Odessa, Texas (Google Maps). Inset: Joan Reyes de Jesus (Odessa Police Department).
A Texas woman is facing a grim future behind bars after a tragedy involving 1-year-old twins unfolded under her watch. Joan Reyes de Jesus was convicted of murder and handed two life sentences for her role in the heartbreaking incident, as reported by regional NBC affiliate KWES. She will have the possibility of parole after serving 35 years.
The incident occurred in Odessa, Texas, on October 16, 2024. De Jesus, then 34, had been entrusted with the care of the twins by their mother, as confirmed by the Odessa Police Department in a statement. Tragically, her actions that day led to a devastating outcome.
De Jesus placed the young children in a bathtub, turned on the water, and left them unattended to watch television. The police report states that she subsequently fell asleep, leaving the twins in the bathroom. It was only after approximately 30 minutes—or possibly longer—that family members realized the children were in danger.
A call to 911 brought officers and emergency personnel to the scene, where they discovered the twins showing signs of drowning. Despite their efforts, the outcome was a sorrowful reminder of the risks of negligence.
Someone in the home called 911, and officers and emergency personnel responded to the home. When they got there, they found the babies suffering from an apparent drowning.
The kids were rushed to an area hospital, but both were pronounced dead.
According to an affidavit obtained by the TV station, officers testified during de Jesus’ trial about her actions when the babies were found. She apparently seemed “stoic” and emotionless and didn’t try to help the kids.
De Jesus reportedly told investigators when interviewed that she placed the babies in the running water as she often did, and did not plug the drain, which lets the water rise. However, a scrunchie — a fabric-wrapped band normally used to pull hair back — blocked the drain, she said.
The mother of the twins hired de Jesus to watch the kids during the day as she would sleep, but she admitted that de Jesus watched them about “90 percent of the time” while she worked, sold drugs, or partied, local ABC affiliate KMID and Fox affiliate KPEJ reported. She was later charged with manufacturing or delivery of a controlled substance.
Prosecutors said in their closing arguments that the facts of the case “are pretty simple. The babies were put in a bathtub… and were not watched.”
“We know they were left in the bathtub unattended… water running… they couldn’t walk,” prosecutors added, per KMID and KPEJ. “They couldn’t even cry out for help.”