Madeline Colunga, a 28-year-old Texas woman, has been charged with abandoning her young children after authorities discovered three minors—including an infant—left alone at their Tomball home last week, according to Harris County law enforcement.
Background
The incident unfolded on July 8 when deputies with the Harris County Constable Precinct 4 responded to a residence on Cavern Springs Drive in Tomball—a small city approximately 30 miles northwest of Houston. Neighbors had reported seeing young children wandering outside without adult supervision, prompting the emergency call.
Deputies arrived at the scene and discovered three children, ages 1, 3, and 4, who had been left home alone inside the residence. According to a press release from Constable Mark Herman's office, authorities made multiple attempts to contact the children's mother but received no response.
"Multiple attempts were made to contact the children's mother, but she did not respond," the press release stated.
Authorities eventually reached a family member who was able to contact Colunga by phone. The defendant allegedly indicated she was on her way back home. A short time later, Colunga returned to the residence.
The Charges
Upon investigation, authorities determined that Colunga had left the children unattended for an indeterminate period of time. According to court records obtained by Law&Crime, she now faces one felony count of abandoning a child with intent to return.
The criminal complaint filed in Harris County provides additional details about the allegations. The document states that Colunga "did then and there unlawfully, having care, custody, control of L.C., a child younger than fifteen years of age... intentionally abandon the Complainant in a residence, under circumstances that exposed the Complainant to an unreasonable risk of harm, namely leaving the Complainant unsupervised in an unsecured residence where Complainant walked outside of the residence and with the intent to return for the Complainant."
She was initially booked into the Harris County Jail on July 8 on a charge of child endangerment with intent to return. Her bond was set at $5,000 and was quickly posted, court records indicate.
"During the investigation, she was unable to provide a reasonable explanation for leaving the children unattended," the constable's office stated.
Key Takeaways
- Madeline Colunga, 28, has been charged with one felony count of abandoning a child with intent to return in Harris County, Texas
- Three children—a 1-year-old, 3-year-old, and 4-year-old—were discovered alone at their Tomball home on July 8 after neighbors reported them wandering outside unsupervised
- Colunga allegedly failed to respond when deputies attempted to contact her about the situation
- Authorities reached a family member who contacted Colunga; she reportedly said she was returning home but could not explain her absence upon arrival
- The children were safely released to a guardian at the scene after Child Protective Services was notified
- Colunga's bond was set at $5,000 and posted quickly
What's Next
Colunga is scheduled to appear in Harris County court on September 1 for further proceedings. The case remains under investigation by the Harris County Constable Precinct 4 office.
"The safety of our children is always our highest priority," Constable Herman said in a statement. "Leaving young children home alone places them at serious risk and is never worth the gamble. We are grateful for the neighbors who acted quickly and contacted law enforcement."