KATY, Texas – A Katy mother is charged after being accused of leaving her two young children, including one with autism, home alone Monday, officials said.
Melissa Gomez, 30, was arrested and charged with two counts of abandoning a child with the intent to return.
A Katy police officer responded to reports of a young boy outside a home, crying and bleeding from his face, at 8:43 p.m. in the 5300 block of Derbyshire Lane. Upon arrival, the officer found the 4-year-old boy crying and asking for his mother, officials said. A witness told the officers he heard the child crying for 45 minutes and found the child alone without an adult, officials said.
When officers walked into the home's backyard, they saw lights turned on in the home and a 1-year-old girl lying on the tile floor unresponsive, according to court documents. Officers said all doors and windows of the home were locked, which meant the 4-year-old child was left outside in the dark, according to court documents.
After officers got in contact with Gomez, she told police that she was 40 minutes away in Spring, according to court documents. Gomez said she had to pick up money from someone who owed her, according to court documents.
Police forced their way into the home to get the young girl out, officials said. Gomez was questioned after she arrived at the home, officials said. It was later learned the 4-year-old child has autism and is nonverbal, according to court documents.
The two children were placed in the custody of Child Protective Services.