Mother and grandmother of 2-year-old girl, found wandering through the woods without shoes during low temperatures, were arrested after cops found hazardous conditions in the home
Texas – In a troubling case out of Texas, a 2‑year‑old girl was found through the woods alone in the dead of night, without shoes, wearing nothing but a dress at around 3 a.m. while temperatures hovered in the 40s. Her 25-year-old mother, identified as H. Peoples, and grandmother, identified as R. Kelly, have both been arrested and now face serious felony charges after investigators discovered severely unsafe and unsanitary conditions in the home.
According to the sheriff’s office, Peoples was charged with abandoning/endangering a child—imminent danger of bodily injury as deputies concluded her decision to leave the toddler unsupervised exposed the little girl to life-threatening risk. Kelly’s charge is interference with investigation of abuse/neglect, a felony count stemming from her attempt to pull the child’s siblings, all under the age of 8, out of school before authorities arrived. The charges reflect not just the moment of danger outside, but the broader neglect inside the home: disorder, filth, and refusal to obtain medical care for the child.
The case began when a concerned neighbor, reviewing trail‑camera footage, spotted a small child wandering through the woods at about 3 a.m. wearing only a dress and barefoot and quickly alerted the authorities. Deputies were dispatched around 6 a.m. to locate the girl. At 7:20 a.m., Peoples finally called the sheriff’s office, claiming she had found her daughter outside at 4:15 a.m. However, she did not report the incident or seek any help, even though deputies were already informed about the child.
Later that day, deputies visited the family’s residence. What they saw shocked them: trash piled up everywhere, soiled clothes strewn about, rotting food, rat droppings, and a heavy smell of urine. The little girl was found unclean and still wearing the same soiled dress. Emergency medical responders requested a medical evaluation, but Peoples refused to cooperate—she declined to have the child treated or even change her clothes. Given the severity of the neglect and the immediate hazard to the toddler, deputies took Peoples into custody.
During the investigation, Kelly reportedly tried to remove the child’s three siblings from school before 9 a.m., telling school staff that Child Protective Services was on the way—and instructing the children not to talk about the early‑morning incident. She referred to it as a “private family matter.” That move to shield the siblings and obstruct the investigation prompted Kelly’s arrest. Authorities said her actions endangered the children further and interfered with efforts to ensure their safety.
Following the arrests, all four children, including the 2‑year‑old, were taken to a hospital for evaluation. The sheriff’s office confirmed they are now under the care of child protective services. Officials say the quick response and removal of the children from the home likely prevented greater harm. Peoples and Kelly were both booked into the county jail without bond. As the case moves forward, prosecutors and social workers are keeping a close watch, committed to ensuring that the children receive the care and protection they were denied before. The incident stands as a poignant illustration of how fragile a child’s safety can be and how neglect and failure to protect can put even the youngest at grave risk.
