Bexar County, TX – Authorities in Texas have arrested a mother and grandmother after a 2-year-old girl was captured on a game camera wandering alone in the dark, wearing only a dress and no shoes, as temperatures hovered near freezing.
Deputies described the situation as deeply alarming, noting that the toddler was unsupervised in a wooded field around 3 a.m. and exposed to dangerous conditions that could have quickly turned life-threatening.
Child Seen on Camera Wandering Alone at 3 a.m.
According to the Bexar County Sheriff’s Office, the investigation began when a property owner called around 6 a.m. to report unsettling surveillance footage. The homeowner told authorities that “her game camera captured footage of a young child wandering alone in the woods at around 3:00 a.m.”
Deputies said the girl appeared to be wearing only a thin dress and was barefoot. Officials confirmed the temperature at that hour was in the 40s, placing the 2-year-old at risk of hypothermia.
Mother Reports Child Missing Hours Later
While deputies were actively searching the area, the child’s mother contacted law enforcement — but not until 7:20 a.m.
The sheriff’s office noted that Haley Peoples, 21, told deputies her daughter had “gotten out of the home” earlier that morning and claimed she found the child outside around 4:15 a.m. Despite this, she did not report the incident for several hours.
Authorities said this delay significantly impacted the response and heightened concerns about the child’s welfare.
Deputies Report Unsafe Living Conditions Inside Home
When deputies arrived at the residence, they described finding trash, rotting food, soiled clothing, rat droppings, and a strong odor of urine throughout the home. Officials say the toddler herself was found soiled, and the mother declined care and refused to change the child’s clothing during the welfare check.
The household included four children in total: the toddler and three siblings.
Grandmother Accused of Interfering With the Investigation
While deputies were at the home, Rebecca Kelly, 50, the children’s grandmother, arrived briefly but left soon after being asked to wait for a supervisor.
Officials say Kelly then went to a local elementary school before 9 a.m., where she attempted to remove the other three children from class. School staff reported that she claimed CPS was arriving and instructed the children not to discuss the early-morning incident, calling it a “private family matter.”
The sheriff’s office called this behavior an attempt to interfere with a child-safety investigation, adding that Kelly’s actions risked further harm to the children and obstructed efforts to ensure their wellbeing.
She was detained at the school shortly after.
Charges Filed and Children Taken to Hospital
All four children were taken to the hospital for medical evaluations.
Peoples was arrested on a charge of abandoning and endangering a child with imminent danger of bodily injury, while Kelly was charged with interference with an investigation of abuse or neglect. Both women were booked into the Bexar County Jail. Officials later confirmed that neither is currently in custody.
Authorities say the investigation remains ongoing as child welfare teams continue evaluating the safety of the children and the conditions inside the home.
Why Near-Freezing Exposure Is Extremely Dangerous for Young Children
A 2-year-old exposed to temperatures in the 40s without protective clothing faces rapid heat loss. Experts note that toddlers have smaller body mass and lose warmth much faster than adults, placing them at risk for early hypothermia, confusion, and physical harm — especially when unsupervised outdoors at night. Officials said the speed at which deputies acted likely prevented a more tragic outcome.
Community Awareness: Responding When a Child Is Seen Alone
Authorities encourage residents to report any instance of a child wandering alone, particularly during nighttime or in unsafe environments. Quick reporting, they say, can save a life.
If you ever encounter a similar situation, deputies recommend immediately calling local law enforcement and staying nearby — without approaching the child alone in unsafe conditions — until help arrives.
Have you witnessed a similar child-safety situation in your community? Share your thoughts or experiences in the comments.
