Mother charged with capital murder of five-year-old girl

Hays County Sheriff's deputies arrested a Kyle woman they said stabbed her five-year-old daughter to death.

The mother also faces charges for attacking her father-in-law.

The Hays County Sheriff's Office said Krystle Concepcion Villanueva's father-in-law, Eustorgio Arellano-Uresti, called 911 Thursday afternoon to report he'd been stabbed.

Uresti told dispatchers he was worried about Villanueva's five-year-old daughter, Giovanna Hernandez, who had also been stabbed.

“As patrol arrived and started their initial investigation at the scene, they met with the individual with multiple stab wounds and he informed us that a female, also at the location with a small child, was responsible for his injuries,” said Hays County Sheriff Gary Cutler. 

Uresti was transported from the mobile home on Willow Terrace to a nearby hospital to be treated. He was later released.  

The SWAT team entered the home and found Hernandez dead.

"It's a cold day across Central Texas here and it's cold day in Hays County. Our hearts are heavy here today with the loss of a beautiful five-year-old girl," said Cutler. 

Cutler said the young girl was not only stabbed but also partially mutilated by her mother. 

"I've been in this line of work for over 43 years, 11 as a homicide detective up in Travis. It's probably the most horrific case I've ever seen and been a part of," Cutler said.

Hays County investigators are still trying to determine a motive for the attack. Authorities also found knives inside the home, but could not elaborate on other evidence they collected.

“This is quite a crime scene. We will be there again tonight and we've been there over 24 hours now,” said Cutler. 

The Sheriff said Villanueva was taken into custody without incident and charged with capital murder and aggravated assault.

CPS confirmed there is a case history with the family. Their address was previously listed as being in Austin and authorities said they had just moved to Kyle one week ago.

Villanueva was booked into the Hays County jail with a bond totaling $1,100,000.