GALVESTON, Texas -- Authorities say a 21-year-old Texas woman lied about the disappearance of her 2-year-old daughter and that she and her partner were responsible for the girl's death before dumping her body in a bayou.

A criminal complaint filed by Texas Rangers said Tiaundra Christon and 32-year-old Kenny Hewett were staying at a Houston hotel when they began disciplining Christon's daughter, Hazana Anderson.

She told investigators that the girl was struck repeatedly with a belt on Oct. 19 and eventually Hazana became unresponsive. The complaint said the couple kept the child's body in their car for three days before putting it in a Galveston County bayou.

Christon had initially claimed Hazana disappeared after briefly being left unattended at a College Station park. Hewett is being held on a charge of tampering with a corpse while Christon is incarcerated on several charges.

CONTINUING COVERAGE:

Clothes Found in Trash Match Description for Missing Texas Toddler

Search Underway for 2-Year-Old Missing from Central Texas Park