HARRIS COUNTY – Authorities are investigating a couple who are accused of locking their 5-year-old son in a closet in their Spring home.
Harris County Precinct 4 deputies responded to a disturbance call at the home in the 21500 block of Castlemont Lane on March 27.
Upon arrival, deputies found Bradley Bleimeyer, 24, arguing with his 16-year-old stepson in the front yard.
The boy told deputies that his father and stepmother were neglecting his younger stepbrother and keeping him locked in a closet under the stairs.
"When they went out to pay their homeowners fees they said it was seven kids. They had water, it was off for about a week or 10 days. They had electricity, it was off. And if you had people living here, we don't know how they existed but yeah, this is a sad day," said HOA member Skip Warren.
Officials entered the house and found a small room under the stairs with a lock and mattress inside.
Deputies said the stepmother, Tammi Bleimeyer, had left the house with the 5-year-old boy before they arrived.
Officials said they called the stepmother and she refused to return to the home with the boy.
Deputies were able to find Tammi Bleimeyer, 33, and the boy at a motel in Humble by tracking her cellphone on March 28.
Officials said the boy was taken to an area hospital; he had bumps and bruises and was severely malnourished.
"It's quite common for them to keep this kid locked away and we don't know why, they refuse to speak to us. This is something out a third world country, not here in the U.S," said Mark Herman.
Tammi Bleimeyer was arrested and booked into the Harris County Jail on a charge of endangering a child. She posted a $2,000 bond.
Bradley Bleimeyer, who was already out on bond for a burglary of habitation charge, was arrested and charged with endangering a child. He's being held in jail on no bond.
Officials say Bradley Bleimeyer is the biological father of the 5-year-old boy. His wife, Tammi Bleimeyer, is the biological mother of the 16-year-old boy and five other children. She is also six months pregnant.
Officials say Tammi Bleimeyer's children are staying with family, but Children's Protective Services is expected to be granted custody soon.
The 5-year-old remains hospitalized at Texas Children's Hospital. CPS is requesting emergency custody of him.