Source: Murdered Seawall baby's mom charged in case
06:43 PM CST on Thursday, February 7, 2008
KHOU.com staff report
HOUSTON -- The mother of a baby found murdered in Galveston last week now faces charges in the case, according to an 11 News source.
11 News
That law enforcement source says Caren Kohberger, 27, is with relatives in New York.
She has been charged with endangering a child in connection with the death of her son, 3-month-old Alijah Mullis.
Brazoria County officials said she put Alijah in danger by letting him leave with his father last week even though she knew the father was unstable.
The father, 21-year-old Travis Mullis, remains jailed in Galveston on a capital murder charge for allegedly killing Alijah.
Also online
The investigation
Affidavit: Crying baby stomped to death
Mullis returned to Houston
Mullis waives right to extradition hearing
Police: There may be more charges in dead baby case
Galveston police having hard time identifying Seawall baby
Infant's death reminds locals of Baby Grace case
Alvin community shocked by baby's death
He got a court-appointed attorney Thursday.
Police say Mullis admitted to placing Alijah on the ground and stomping his head until he felt the skull collapsing.
Investigators believe he then drove to Galveston where he threw the infant's body out of the car.
Authorities say Mullis then left town, stopping in Maryland to see relatives, before driving to Philadelphia and surrendering to police.
Mullis was flown back to Houston Tuesday night.
Wearing a black sweatshirt with its hood down, Mullis was compliant as Houston police led him off the plane. After he got into the patrol car, it was escorted away by Houston police cars to begin the trip to Galveston.
Mullis was booked and processed at the Galveston County Jail about midnight.
Raw video: Travis Mullis arrives at Bush IAH
Police say he had a second mug shot photo taken and traded his plain clothes for a county-issued green uniform.
Major Ray Tuttoilmondo said their first priority is the security of their inmates.
Mullis was reportedly kept away from the general inmate population in Philadelphia.
"Part of the whole process of booking a person in includes a number of interviews about his past history, medical issues, psychiatric issues, consideration of his charges," Tuttoilmondo said.
"We have a pretty clear picture of what happened based on [Mullis'] statements. But I can't release those details without risking, hurting the case," Galveston police spokesman Lt. Jorge Trevino said.
Mullis is also facing a felony charge of enticing a child in Brazoria County. Alvin police are investigating an allegation that Mullis took an 8-year-old girl from her bed in January, took her to a park and asked her to remove her pants.
POLICE AGENCIES
Travis Mullis, left, and 3-month-old Alijah Mullis.
Investigators still have more questions for the infant's mother, who spoke with them after the baby's body was found. But a family representative has stated she will not be talking to police after getting an attorney, Trevino said.
"We have more questions for her in order to wrap up the investigation," he said. "But she is not cooperating with that."
The Houston Chronicle contributed to this report.
