A Texas mother faces allegations of abandoning her toddler at home, who was found in unsanitary conditions, while she traveled 400 miles for a date arranged through Hinge. Killeen Police Department has charged 25-year-old Reese Louise Myers with abandoning or endangering a child.
According to police reports, the incident reportedly took place in July. The mother was arrested by the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Office in California on November 5 and has since been extradited to Texas on a fugitive warrant.
On July 28, at around 9:50 am, officers responded to a call about a child’s welfare at 600 W Hallmark Ave in Killeen, Texas, four months ago.
A witness reported seeing a 16-month-old child “hanging out near a broken window” following an incident where an aggressive dog attempted to attack them.
Upon arrival, officials found the child hanging from the window, which had been fixed with plexiglass sheeting and cardboard, contrary to the report that stated it was shattered.
When authorities entered the apartment, they discovered the child wearing only a t-shirt, with feces on their skin and indications of potential diaper rash, according to Killeen PD.
An inspection of the apartment showed that the child was left alone with two dogs in the home.
Officers reached out to Myers, the mother of the 16-month-old, who allegedly disclosed that she was in San Antonio after arriving the previous day on July 27 to meet a man she had been communicating with on a dating site.
An affidavit reviewed by KWTX reveals that the meeting was set up on Hinge.
Killeen PD has confirmed that the mother planned to meet the man through a dating site, though they did not disclose which application was involved.
Officials reported that the mother stated the child was under the supervision of a babysitter arranged via Facebook. Police instructed Myers to go back to Killeen, Texas.
In the meantime, authorities attempted to reach the alleged babysitter, who reported that her last conversation with the mother in question occurred in December 2023, and she had not been in touch since then.
Officials stated that Facebook messages reviewed by Killeen PD confirmed there was no contact, with the last communication between the two occurring in December 2023.
A 16-month-old child underwent a medical evaluation at Advent Health in Killeen prior to being taken into custody by Child Protective Services.
Detectives from the Special Victims Unit brought the case to the Bell County District Attorney’s Office, resulting in a complaint that led to charges of child neglect against Myers.
Myers was later taken into custody and placed in Bells County Jail.