Burns Cause Two-Year-Old's Death

By Ashley Van Leuven

Published on May 31, 2007

The girl was in a coma when she was taken by ambulance to Memorial Hermann Hospital, where she later died. Officials reported that the girl suffered second- and third-degree burns to her legs, feet, and genitals.

The girl’s mother, 24-year-old Yokandra Lanett Midkiff, originally told investigators that the burns occurred when her daughter stepped into a campfire at the beach. The woman later changed her story and said that her daughter had accidentally sat in extremely hot bathwater.

Child Protective Services (CPS) and doctors have been unable to determine why Midkiff didn't seek immediate treatment for the child's injuries, which showed signs of infection.

CPS has placed Midkiff's other child, a nine-month-old boy, in the care of a relative while investigation into the death continues.

Midkiff has been charged with felony injury to a child. A court hearing has yet to be scheduled.

Comment on this article →