Mother and grandmother of 2-year-old girl, found wandering wearing only a dress during low temperatures in the early morning hours, were arrested after cops discover unsafe living conditions
Texas – In a distressing case in Texas, a 2‑year-old girl was found wandering alone at 3 a.m. wearing only a dress, without shoes, in near‑freezing temperatures. The child’s 25-year-old mother, identified as H. Peoples, and grandmother, identified as R. Kelly, have since been arrested and face serious felony charges. Authorities say their failure to supervise the young girl and the hazardous conditions in their home exposed the child to life‑threatening danger.
According to the sheriff’s office, Peoples is charged with abandoning/endangering a child—imminent danger of bodily injury. Kelly faces a charge of interference with investigation of abuse/neglect—a serious felony count arising from her attempt to remove siblings of the endangered child from school ahead of authorities’ arrival. The charges stem directly from the events of that early morning, compounded by the living conditions found inside the home: unsanitary surroundings, neglect, and refusal to seek medical care for the child.
The troubling events began when a neighbor reviewing trail‑camera footage noticed a small child wandering alone through the woods at about 3 a.m. She was wearing only a dress, had no shoes on, and the temperatures had dropped into the 40s. Alarmed, the neighbor immediately alerted deputies, prompting a search. Around 6 a.m., sheriff’s deputies were called in to locate the unidentified child. Then at 7:20 a.m., the child’s mother, Peoples, made contact with authorities. She claimed she had found the little girl at 4:15 a.m., but crucially, she did not report the incident or call for help despite knowing what had happened. Deputies were already in search mode.
When deputies visited the family’s home later that day, the scene inside horrified them. They discovered unsafe and unsanitary conditions: trash piled up, soiled clothing strewn about, rotting food, rat droppings, and a strong odor of urine. In such hazardous surroundings, the child was found unclean and in soiled clothes. Emergency Medical Services (EMS) requested immediate medical evaluation but Peoples refused, rejecting their efforts to have the child treated or given fresh clothes. Because of the severe risk posed to the toddler and the refusal to cooperate with medical care or properly supervise her, deputies detained Peoples.
The investigation uncovered further troubling behavior from the grandmother, Kelly. While law enforcement worked to secure the children and assess the situation, Kelly allegedly attempted to remove the child’s three siblings, all under the age of 8, from their elementary school before 9 a.m. She reportedly told school staff that Child Protective Services was on the way and instructed the children not to speak about the night’s events — calling them a “private family matter.” That attempt to obstruct the investigation and remove the children from immediate oversight led authorities to arrest her as well. Officials said her actions put the siblings at further risk and interfered with lawful efforts to ensure their safety.
Following the arrests, all four children, including the 2‑year-old, were taken to a hospital for evaluation. The sheriff’s office confirmed that they were under the care of child protective services. The swift medical response and protective action likely prevented further harm. Peoples and Kelly were both booked into the county jail, where they remain held without bond. As the legal process unfolds, prosecutors and social workers are now on high alert to ensure these children receive the care and protection they should have had all along.
