Woman left her 16-month-old son with two aggressive dogs in the home that were trying to bite him while she went to meet a man she “matched” with on an online dating app; arrested

Texas – In a distressing case of child neglect in Texas, a 25-year-old mother, identified as R. Myers, faces serious charges after she reportedly abandoned her 16-month-old toddler to travel hundreds of miles for a romantic rendezvous. Myers was arrested in California following her alarming decision to leave her young child unattended while she visited a man she “matched” with on an online dating app.

On July 28, authorities were alerted to a concerning scene at an apartment. Responding to a call about a child in danger, police discovered the toddler alone and in distress. The child was seen near a window, dangerously close to broken plexiglass and cardboard, and an aggressive dog was trying to attack the child in the apartment.

Upon entering the apartment, police found the child in a neglected state, wearing only a T-shirt, with signs of diaper rash and feces on their skin. The home was reportedly secured with precautions suggesting premeditation in leaving the child unattended; doors were closed off, a baby gate blocked the kitchen, and the deadbolt was engaged, with the exception of one poorly secured window. The toddler was promptly taken to a hospital and then placed under the care of Child Protective Services, highlighting the immediate danger posed by the mother’s absence.

Myers was contacted by the police during their initial investigation and shockingly admitted to traveling a city approximately 160 miles away from her home to meet a man she had connected with on an online dating application. She claimed to have arranged for a babysitter via Facebook, an assertion that quickly unraveled under police scrutiny.

Further inquiry revealed that the supposed babysitter had not been in contact with Myers since the previous year, contradicting Myers’ claims of recent interaction. Messages reviewed by officers confirmed no communication had occurred since December 2023, casting doubt on Myers’ version of events.

After failing to heed police advice to return home promptly, Myers continued her stay away from her hometown, leading to her arrest on November 5 by the California authorities on a fugitive warrant. Myers is charged with abandoning or endangering a child, a serious felony that reflects the gravity of her alleged actions. Her apprehension and subsequent extradition back to Texas underline the severity with which authorities are treating the case.

As the legal proceedings unfold, the community and local authorities remain shocked by the severity of the neglect. The case has sparked discussions on the responsibilities of parenthood and the critical importance of child safety. Police’s swift response likely prevented further harm to the young child, but the incident serves as a stark reminder of the vulnerabilities children face and the dire consequences of parental neglect.

Myers’ actions, particularly as someone who ventured a great distance purportedly for personal reasons while leaving a defenseless child in such a hazardous situation, have led to a strong legal response aimed at ensuring justice and the child’s ongoing safety. As the case progresses, Myers will face the legal ramifications of her choices, with the safety and well-being of her child now entrusted to the state, highlighting a tragic but necessary intervention in a situation marked by clear endangerment and neglect.