Texas mom told cops the family dog ‘put a paw’ on her newborn’s head, but authorities say she told a cellmate she threw the baby against a wall

A Texas mother who told police the family dog “put a paw” on her newborn’s head has been sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole for the death of her 5-week-old daughter, as reported by KOSA. A jury convicted Sarah Michelle Gilley-Wroe, 24, of capital murder of a child under 10 years old, and she was sentenced earlier this month.

According to authorities, Gilley-Wroe told a cellmate that she threw the baby against a wall and hit her until she stopped crying. Detectives also found incriminating Google searches on her phone, and authorities said she made incriminating statements while in custody.

Her daughter died on May 11, 2022, at Midland Memorial Hospital from severe head trauma. Medical evidence showed the infant had two fractures in the back of her skull, and experts compared the force needed to cause the injuries to a fall from a two-story building.

She gave investigators more than one explanation

Investigators first questioned Gilley-Wroe and the baby’s father, Bryon Brown, then 20, at the hospital after the infant’s death. The infant’s multiple skull fractures led to immediate suspicion. Gilley-Wroe initially blamed the family’s 30-pound dog, claiming it jumped on the infant weeks earlier. She later changed her story to say the dog had “put a paw” on the baby’s head, and she also claimed the injuries could have been caused by her aunt or the baby’s father.

Authorities said Gilley-Wroe was the only person alone with the child during the time the injuries could have occurred. Brown was away from home when Gilley-Wroe called to say the baby “wasn’t breathing right,” and when he returned, he found the infant convulsing and making odd sounds.

The couple claimed they called 911 and that responders checked the baby and left after saying nothing was wrong, but it was never determined whether that call was made. By May 20, 2022, both parents had been charged with capital murder of a child. Reports have not said how Brown’s case was resolved.

Under Texas law, an adult convicted of a capital felony faces either life without parole or the death penalty, depending on whether the state seeks death, per the Texas Penal Code. Gilley-Wroe’s sentencing came weeks after a Texas mother got 25 years in a separate case tied to her daughter’s death.