Man Jailed in Death of Toddlers Released

WOOD COUNTY — A man connected to a case involving the death of two East Texas children has been released from jail. According to KETK, Thomas Liles, of Mineola, was released from the Wood County Jail Monday after a tampering charge was dismissed on Friday. The suspect is also facing two counts of injury to a child. On July 24, 2014, Quitman police responded to reports of two young children who were not breathing and would not wake up. When authorities arrived, they found the bodies of the two girls, Gabriella Guerroro, 3, and Natalye Price, 1. It was determined the children died from blunt force trauma.

Both deaths were ruled a homicide. Daphne Elizabeth McDaniels was charged with capital murder in the death of her daughters.

Multiple witnesses told officers they saw Thomas Liles running from the Dogwood Villa Apartments where the two deaths occurred. They also reportedly saw the man throw a “large item” into a dumpster near the building. The items were consistent with having come from the children’s apartment. Liles was taken into custody by one of his officers for tampering with evidence a week later.