Katy Father, Former Teacher Faces Charges in the Death of 3-Month-Old Daughter

KATY MAGAZINE NEWS

May 17, 2023

By Natalie Cook Clark

The Katy father of the 3-month-old girl who died last month after her serious injuries was arrested on Monday and charged with injury to a child. More charges could follow.

Maglitto was first seen in court Monday evening.

Steven Luke Maglitto, 38, was arrested Monday afternoon and charged with injury to a child following the death of his infant daughter on April 27, 2023.

Deputies Responded to a Call; Baby Pronounced Dead at the Hospital

Harris County Sheriff’s Office Deputies responded to a call around 4:30 p.m. on April 27, 2023 to a home at the 1700 block of Penmark Lane in the Stonelodge subdivision. According to authorities the call involved an unknown medical emergency involving a 3-month-old female. A 4-year-old sibling was also home at the time, but was unharmed.

At their arrival, deputies found Maglitto walking out into the driveway holding his unconscious daughter who had suffered severe trauma to her head, arms, and legs. The 3-month-old was rendered aide by the deputies and then Life Flighted to Memorial Herman hospital, where she was pronounced deceased.

“The infant was under the care of her father at the time,” says Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez. “Her mom was not home at the time. The infant suffered severe injuries to her head and body.”

Authorities and court documents now reveal that Maglitto’s sister had been over to the home earlier that day when he called and said that they infant wasn’t well. According to a statement, his sister said that the baby wasn’t injured at the time she left the home but she had called the mother to inform her about her concerns.

Father Stated he 'Heard God Talking to Him'

According to court documents, Maglitto told deputies he didn't know what happened to his daughter but that he had taken a hit of marijuana earlier. He told deputies he "heard God talking to him" and said, "Trust God, everything will be OK.”

Maglitto has been a Katy teacher at a local charter school for 10 years. He recently quit due to stress and then became upset, to the point of drafting a living will on his phone, when his sister expressed concern of him being alone with his children.

The current charge is based on preliminary autopsy results, which stated that the infant died of blunt force trauma after suffering a skull fracture, bleeding in the brain, and bruising in the arms, legs, and ears. The final autopsy could lead to an upgraded charge such as felony murder.

Surviving Children are in Foster Care

Maglitto is being held on a $200,000 bond. The couple also has a surviving 7-year-old child. Both surviving children are currently being cared for in a foster home. Authorities have said that the family has not previously dealt with CPS.

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