Mother and Grandmother Arrested After 2-Year-Old Girl Is Caught on Camera Wandering Alone in the Woods

A 2-year-old girl in Texas was found wandering alone in the woods in the middle of the night, leading to the arrests of her mother and grandmother, authorities said.

The child was first spotted around 3:00 a.m. on Friday, Dec. 5, on a property owner’s game camera in Bexar County, according to a press release from the Bexar County Sheriff’s Office.

Around 6:00 a.m., deputies responded to what they described as a “deeply concerning call” after the homeowner reviewed the footage and saw the little girl walking alone in the woods, “wearing only but a dress and no shoes.”

“With temperatures in the 40s, this little girl faced potential life-threatening danger at that hour,” the sheriff’s office said.

A search for the child began immediately. At about 7:20 a.m., a woman identified as Haley Peoples reported that her 2-year-old daughter had left their home earlier that morning.

Investigators allege that Peoples actually found the toddler outside at 4:15 a.m. but did not contact law enforcement for several hours, even as authorities were actively searching for the child.

When deputies arrived at the home, they say they discovered “unsafe living conditions — including trash, soiled clothing, rotting food, rat droppings, and a heavy odor of urine.”

The 2-year-old was described as “soiled,” and an EMS worker requested a medical evaluation for her. According to the sheriff’s office, Peoples declined medical care and refused to change her daughter’s clothing.

“Due to the hazardous conditions, refusal of medical care, and the severe risk posed to the child, deputies detained Peoples,” the press release stated.

The child’s grandmother, Rebecca Kelly, later returned to the residence but left after being asked to wait for a supervisor, authorities said.

Shortly afterward, deputies learned that Kelly had gone to an elementary school and tried to remove the child’s three siblings from class shortly before 9:00 a.m., according to the sheriff’s office.

“School staff reported she claimed CPS was arriving and told the children not to talk about the early-morning incident, calling it a ‘private family matter,’ ” officials said. “This attempt to interfere with a child-safety investigation further endangered the siblings and obstructed lawful efforts to ensure their well-being.”

Kelly was detained at the school, and the four children — all under the age of eight — were taken to a hospital for evaluation.

Peoples was arrested on a charge of Abandoning/Endangering a Child – Imminent Danger of Bodily Injury. Kelly was arrested on suspicion of Interference with Investigation of Abuse/Neglect. Both were booked into the Bexar County Jail.

According to court records, Peoples was released after posting a $50,000 bond, while Kelly was released after posting a $7,500 bond.