EXCLUSIVE: Madera County woman charged in alleged abuse of now 5-month-old baby

MADERA, Calif. (KFSN) -- 51-year-old Tonya Hamilton has been charged with child abuse in a case involving a now five-month-old boy who suffered a severe brain injury and required two surgeries at Valley Children's Hospital, authorities said Wednesday.

Braxton Musselman, now recovering, was rushed to the hospital nearly two months ago after he was found unresponsive.

His mother, Tori Nelson, said seeing her son smile again brings her relief.

"He's just my little miracle baby. He's doing so good. Just to see him smile and laugh is all I can ask for," she said.

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Madera County District Attorney Sally Moreno said the child was brought to the hospital on January 13 with a "very specific type of injury," prompting an investigation into who may have caused it.

"Then there was an investigation to determine who could have inflicted that injury and we feel at this point we have enough evidence to charge Tonya Hamiliton with this count of inflicting injury on this infant," Moreno said.

Prosecutors filed a charge alleging child abuse resulting in coma, brain injury or permanent paralysis.

"It's the most serious we can allege short of the death of the child," Moreno said.

If convicted, Hamilton could face seven years to life in prison.

Moreno added that "assuming we get a conviction on this charge, the defendant will have to go through a parole board to be released."

Braxton's parents say the injury has changed their lives.

"Quite honestly, nothing's going to give back what was taken from him," Nelson said.

His father, Chris Musselman, a U.S. Army Reservist, left his job as a sergeant with the Department of Corrections to stay with Braxton full time.

"I don't believe that anybody that has hurt a child deserves or should be around another child again," he said.

Nelson, a registered nurse in Fresno, continues to work while visiting her son as often as possible.

"I just pray no one else has to go through this. It's honestly one of the hardest things," she said.

Hamilton is expected to appear in court for arraignment on March 9. Both Chris and Tori said they plan to be inside the courtroom for that hearing.

In the meantime, baby Braxton will undergo an MRI to determine his release date.

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