Texas Mother Fatally Shot Her 8-Month-Old Girl During Argument Over Gun, Money With Baby’s Father, Police Say

A pregnant mother in Texas has been arrested for allegedly accidentally shooting and killing her 8-month-old daughter she was holding while arguing about a handgun and money with the baby’s father, according to authorities.

On April 12, police said the child’s father, whose name has not been released, picked up the child’s mother, 21-year-old Rosa Marie Mora, from work, KENS reported.

Shortly thereafter, the couple got into an argument about a handgun and money. The handgun allegedly belonged to Mora, but was being held by the child’s father. The gun was reportedly stuffed into the waistband of the father’s pants, according to KENS.

While the argument was going on, police say Mora picked up the infant, later identified as Rosalinda Martinez, and kept fighting with the father as she got out of the vehicle, which was parked outside Mora’s sister’s apartment complex, KENS reported.

When the incident took place, court records state the father was still sitting in the car while Mora was standing outside the vehicle holding her daughter. She allegedly reached into the car and tried to get the gun back from Rosalinda’s father. As they were struggling over the gun, it reportedly went off and both Mora and Rosalinda were struck, according to KENS.

Mora and Rosalinda were rushed to a nearby hospital by family members, KENS stated. Rosalinda succumbed to her injuries and was pronounced dead at the hospital.

Mora was reportedly struck in the hand by the gunshot and was admitted to the hospital, but was released on April 17, just hours before she was arrested, officials said. Her unborn child is reportedly doing fine.

Her family talked to KENS, saying Rosalinda’s father has a history of violence against Mora. When the shooting took place, he was reportedly out of jail on bond from a previous assault against Mora that took place in February. He was to have no contact with Mora and prohibited from being in possession of a handgun, court documents stated.

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KENS reported that Rosalinda’s father had possession of the firearm when he fled the scene and he is still on the run from law enforcement.

Mora was arrested and charged with one count of causing injury to a child resulting in serious bodily injury, officials said.