An 8-year-old girl with a mental disability was left alone at home for days in Fort Bend County, Texas, surviving on birthday cake before authorities discovered her — and now her mother faces criminal charges.
Background
Phillipi Angela Walker allegedly abandoned her daughter on two separate occasions in November 2025, according to court documents reviewed by Law&Crime. The first incident occurred Nov. 21 when investigators say Walker traveled out of the country to Honduras, leaving the child home alone for approximately two days.
The girl, who has a mental deficiency that investigators say may limit her awareness of surroundings, managed to call the Fort Bend County Sheriff's Office requesting food. Had she not made that call, authorities believe she would have remained undiscovered for considerably longer, according to the probable cause affidavit.
The Investigation
Days later, on Nov. 24, law enforcement placed Walker's residence under surveillance connected to the initial abandonment. Detectives observed Walker leave her home while her daughter remained inside alone. Investigators say Walker went to work a shift at the Houston Veterans Affairs Hospital that ran from 3:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m.
When deputies conducted a traffic stop, Walker allegedly told police she had asked her grandfather to check on the child. However, when asked if any juveniles were at the home, investigators say Walker was uncooperative and refused to answer.
Deputies entered the residence and found the child alone. They also discovered three large knives accessible to an 8-year-old with mental deficiency who could potentially reach them, according to the affidavit.
The investigation revealed that Walker had already been stripped of custody due to a CPS safety plan following the first incident — meaning her daughter was supposed to be placed with another family member at the time.
Key Takeaways
- Phillipi Angela Walker is charged with two counts of felony child abandonment or endangerment in Fort Bend County, Texas
- The 8-year-old girl has a documented mental deficiency that investigators say affects her awareness of surroundings
- In the first alleged incident, Walker was out of the country in Honduras while her daughter was left alone for two days
- The child survived by eating birthday cake until she called authorities requesting food
- Court records indicate Walker was not supposed to have custody due to an active CPS safety plan from a prior incident
What's Next
Walker's next court hearing is scheduled for June 29, according to Fort Bend County court records. The case remains under investigation by the Fort Bend County Sheriff's Office.