Texas babysitter sentenced to life in prison for drowning deaths of 1-year-old twins

ODESSA, Texas — An Odessa woman will spend the rest of her life behind bars after being convicted of murder for the deaths of 1-year-old twins.

Joan Reyes De Jesus received to two life sentences on Wednesday for each count of murder. She’ll be eligible for parole after 35 years.

In October 2024, officials with the Odessa Police Department and Odessa Fire Rescue found the two 1-year-old twins suffering from injuries that appeared related to drowning.

The babies were taken to Medical Center Hospital, but despite the efforts of first responders and emergency medical staff, both babies died. Investigators said that the then-34-year-old De Jesus was identified as the baby’s caretaker after being hired by the twins’ mother.

During their investigation, police learned that De Jesus placed the babies into the bathtub, turned on the water, and left the bathroom to begin watching television. She had then fallen asleep for an unknown period of time. Evidence obtained by police showed that at least 30 minutes had passed before the twins were discovered in the bathtub.

Prosecutors argued that De Jesus knowingly committed an act clearly dangerous to human life. They pulled a variety of evidence to prove their case, including the 911 call and the body camera footage of the first officer on the scene. They also called up witnesses, including the initial lead detective, the doctor who performed the autopsy, as well as the uncle of the twins, who was the one who found them floating in the bathtub.

The big question in the courtroom regarded De Jesus’ emotional state when the babies were finally found unresponsive. Many officers testified she was emotionless and didn’t attempt to render aid. One sergeant said she was “stoic.”

However, the defense questioned detectives on how they came to the quick conclusion that De Jesus should be charged with the injuries to the children. They further claimed that the defense did not look at all the evidence, including verifying with the mother what she was doing in the hours leading up to the incident.

The state’s closing argument went through the facts of the case, with De Jesus admitting multiple times to being the one responsible for placing the babies in the tub and leaving them unattended for an extended period of time, and that was her knowingly committing an act clearly dangerous to human life.

She was then found guilty of two counts of murder in connection with the twins’ deaths.

Wednesday, the defense threw their final pitch, calling Reyes’ mother, stepfather, and brother to testified about her character in hopes to reduce her punishment. Her stepfather said Reyes “doesn’t have a bone in her body to do anything like that.”

Reyes’ mother pleaded to Judge Justin Low that her daughter never intended to harm those babies. Ultimately, judge Low ruled that Reyes’ reckless actions warranted life sentences.

To Carlos Harris IV, who found his twin nieces lifeless in the tub, justice has been served.

“It fits the crime,” said Harris exclusively to NewsWest 9. “All the evidence that was presented to the people and to the court that did show up, they’d understand as well, too, and that’s why the sentencing was given today.”

Harris’ sister and the mother of the twins, Charlotte, also believes the sentence was justice.

In a statement issued to NewsWest 9 on her behalf by her attorney, Daniel Sarabia, Jr:

“Our family has endured something no parent should ever have to face — the loss of our two babies. Last Friday, the jury spoke, and we are grateful that justice was served. 

Today, the judge delivered a just sentence — two life sentences for the murder of our children. It is the right outcome. Our babies deserved nothing less.

We want to extend our deepest gratitude to the Ector County District Attorney’s Office for their tireless dedication to this case and for giving our children a voice in that courtroom. 

We also want to acknowledge the first responders who were there on the worst day of our lives, the detectives who worked tirelessly to uncover the truth, and every member of law enforcement who stood with our family throughout this process.

This verdict and this sentence do not bring our children back. Nothing will. But it brings a measure of peace knowing that what happened to them was not ignored — and that the person responsible will spend the rest of their life behind bars.

We ask that our family’s privacy be respected as we continue to grieve and to heal.”

But Reyes’ defense team argued for weeks that Charlotte was responsible as well.

“In order for Ms. Reyes to be found guilty of this, the state had to prove that not only was Ms. Reyes the sole person in charge, that she had the duty of care, and the reality is when the mother is present at the house, the babysitter comes second,” said Bryan Rodriquez, one of Reyes’ attorneys.

Charlotte has a pending case of her own for drugs found in the home the day of the incident. She also admitted in her testimony that she would pay for Reyes’ services with drugs.

However, her brother says people are judging a single mother who did what she had to do to provide for her family. He also says before you make your judgment on somebody, make sure that you’re perfect.