A serious incident involving a young child in Belton, Texas, has come back into the spotlight after the child’s mother was arrested months later. The case, which happened in October 2024, involved a 3-year-old boy who accidentally closed a car sunroof on his own neck, resulting in life-threatening injuries.
What Happened During the Incident?
According to a report from the City of Belton, the accident occurred on October 10, 2024, at a restaurant on the 2800 block of North Loop 121. Local police were called to the scene after receiving a report that a child was unconscious and struggling to breathe.
When officers arrived, they found staff members at the restaurant trying to perform CPR on the 3-year-old child. He was unresponsive at the time and was quickly transported to McLane Children’s Hospital with life-threatening injuries.
Fortunately, after receiving medical care, the child made a full recovery.
How Did the Sunroof Injury Happen?
As per official reports, the child’s mother, Angela Celeste Moreno, had left both of her young children—aged three and one—alone in the car. She went inside the restaurant to pick up a DoorDash order she planned to deliver.
She was reportedly inside the restaurant for about 10 minutes. During that time, her 3-year-old son was standing inside the car and looking out of the sunroof. While doing so, the child accidentally triggered the sunroof to close, which caught his neck in the opening.
This shocking incident led to an immediate investigation by Belton Police and Bell County detectives.
Was the Mother Charged?
Yes. On March 26, 2025—nearly five months after the incident—Angela Celeste Moreno was arrested. She is facing the charge of injury to a child, which is a serious criminal offense in Texas.
Authorities confirmed that the arrest was made after a detailed investigation into the events that led to the child’s injuries. The case is ongoing, and further updates are expected as the legal process continues.
The Child’s Condition Today
Although the child’s injuries were severe, hospital officials have confirmed that he recovered following immediate medical attention. This fortunate outcome was possible thanks to the quick actions of restaurant workers and emergency responders.
The incident serves as a serious reminder about the risks of leaving children unattended in vehicles, even for a short time.