SAN ANTONIO — State child protective services received reports of mental health concerns about an Edinburg woman accused of killing her two young children going back a year before their deaths, according to a newly released investigative report obtained by News 4/Fox SA.
It shows the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS) had previously investigated mental health concerns involving 34-year-old Marlene Vidal. This past May, the children, 6-year-old Aleeza and 5-year-old Adrian, were found dead inside a burning vehicle near Loop 410 and 151 in San Antonio.
A DFPS report received on May 13, two days before the children’s deaths, says Vidal had a psychotic break in June 2025 and DFPS had received a report stating Vidal had “unknown” mental health disorders.
About a month prior, Vidal allegedly began saying her children were possessed, that she was being followed, and that someone was trying to poison her and the children.
A few days prior to the report, Vidal and her two children were eating with a friend when she abruptly left saying people were following her, the report states.
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During a traffic stop that year, officers observed her acting erratically with the children in the car. “The mother was observed screaming, crying, whispering, and hyper focused on God and religion,” the report states.
Vidal was taken to a mental health facility while relatives cared for the children.
The department later confirmed neglectful supervision but found the children appeared healthy and returned them to Vidal after her release. She was supposed to continue therapy and treatment but did not, the report said.
The report says the department confirmed physical abuse by Vidal led to their deaths. Vidal is now facing two capital murder charges and is due back in court November 12.
In Texas, a capital murder conviction can carry either the death penalty or a sentence of life in prison without the possibility of parole.