Crime
Smith County Woman Arrested After Newborn Found Deceased in Bathtub
Smith County, TX – A 27-year-old woman has been arrested in connection with the discovery of her deceased newborn infant inside her home, according to the Smith County Sheriff’s Office.
On Wednesday, authorities charged Esmeralda Duran Rodriguez with abuse of a corpse after deputies found the newborn wrapped in a towel and placed inside a grocery bag in the bathtub.
The investigation began when Rodriguez arrived at CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital in Tyler, informing medical staff that she had given birth at home earlier that day.
However, she did not have the child with her.
Deputies were dispatched to the residence off Highway 271, north of Loop 323, where Rodriguez’s brother allowed them to conduct a search.
Evidence in the home suggested that a birth had occurred on a bed, leading investigators to continue their search.
Shortly thereafter, they discovered the infant’s body in the bathroom.
Detectives and crime scene investigators conducted interviews and gathered evidence, including questioning Rodriguez while she remained hospitalized.
Authorities determined that she did not notify anyone of the birth nor seek medical assistance for herself or the infant.
Following their findings, investigators obtained an arrest warrant signed by Judge Austin Reeve Jackson, charging Rodriguez with abuse of a corpse, a state jail felony punishable by up to two years in jail if convicted.
The newborn’s remains have been transported to the Southwestern Institute of Forensic Science in Dallas for an autopsy to determine whether the infant was born alive.
If evidence confirms that the child was born alive, authorities have indicated that charges may be upgraded.
The investigation remains ongoing.
Crime
16-year-old Khyon Smith-Tate found shot to death inside Chipotle bathroom on edge of Temple University’s campus in North Philadelphia
PHILADELPHIA — A 16-year-old boy was fatally shot inside the bathroom of a Chipotle restaurant near Temple University’s campus in North Philadelphia on Monday afternoon, police said, as students and staff returned for the first day of the Spring 2026 semester.
The shooting occurred at approximately 5:00 p.m. inside the Chipotle located in the 1100 block of West Montgomery Avenue, on the ground floor of The View at Montgomery apartment complex. The building is situated near Temple University’s Student Center and TECH Center.
Police later identified the victim as Khyon Smith-Tate, a North Philadelphia resident. Philadelphia Police Chief Inspector Scott Small said Smith-Tate was found with a gunshot wound to the chest and was pronounced dead at 5:24 p.m.
Temple University President John Fry and Vice President for Public Safety and Chief of Police Jennifer Griffin issued a joint statement following the incident:
“The loss of life to gun violence is a profound tragedy, and there are no words that can make sense of it. Our thoughts are with the victim’s family and loved ones.”
According to investigators, Smith-Tate and another minor entered the restaurant and requested access to the restroom. Chief Inspector Small said the shooting is believed to have occurred inside the bathroom.
Moments later, employees discovered Smith-Tate suffering from a gunshot wound. Police recovered one spent shell casing from a semiautomatic weapon inside the restroom.
Although the victim’s last known address was approximately eight blocks from the scene, authorities have not indicated what brought him to the location or what led to the shooting.
At the time of the incident, the restaurant was crowded, and multiple individuals inside the business were detained briefly for questioning. However, police said they have not yet obtained any statements from witnesses who reported hearing a gunshot.
A person of interest was taken into custody several blocks from the scene shortly after the shooting, but Chief Inspector Small said that individual’s involvement remains unclear.
As of Tuesday, police confirmed that no arrests have been made and no motive has been established.
Investigators believe Smith-Tate entered the restroom with another minor, though the whereabouts of that individual remain unknown.
Police are also seeking information about three possible suspects, described as teenagers carrying backpacks.
Chief Inspector Small noted that the area is equipped with numerous surveillance cameras, which detectives are reviewing as part of the ongoing investigation.
Authorities are asking anyone with information related to the incident to contact the Philadelphia Police Department.