HARRIS COUNTY, Texas (KWTX) — Deputies with Constable Mark Herman’s Office arrested a woman after investigators said three young children were found alone during a welfare check Tuesday.
Deputies responded July 8 to the 19400 block of Cavern Springs Drive after neighbors reported several small children wandering outside without an adult.
When deputies arrived, they discovered three children — ages 1, 3 and 4 — had been left home alone, according to the constable’s office.
Madeline Colunga was arrested and booked into the Harris County Jail on a charge of child endangerment. Her bond was set at $5,000 in the 176th District Court.(KWTX GRAPHIC)
Investigators said they made multiple attempts to contact the children’s mother but received no response. Deputies later reached a family member who came to the scene and was able to contact the mother by phone. A short time later, the mother, identified as Madeline Colunga, returned to the home.
During the investigation, Colunga was unable to provide a reasonable explanation for leaving the children unattended, officials said.
Child Protective Services was notified, and the children were released to a guardian at the scene.
Colunga was arrested and booked into the Harris County Jail on a charge of child endangerment. Her bond was set at $5,000 in the 176th District Court.
“The safety of our children is always our highest priority,” Constable Herman said, thanking neighbors for calling 911.
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