Tomball Mother Arrested After Deputies Find Three Young Children Home Alone

HARRIS COUNTY, Texas. A Harris County woman was arrested Wednesday after deputies responding to a welfare check found three young children home alone, according to the Office of Constable Mark Herman.

Deputies were dispatched on July 8 to the 19400 block of Cavern Springs Drive in Tomball, TX, after neighbors reported seeing several young children wandering outside without adult supervision.

When deputies arrived, they discovered three children, ages 1, 3 and 4, had been left alone at the residence.

Authorities said deputies made multiple attempts to contact the children’s mother but were unsuccessful. Investigators eventually reached a family member, who responded to the home and contacted the children’s mother by telephone. She told the family member she was returning to the residence.

A short time later, the mother, identified as 28-year-old Madeline Colunga, arrived at the home. According to investigators, she was unable to provide a reasonable explanation for leaving the children unattended.

Child Protective Services was notified, and the children were released to a guardian at the scene.

Colunga was arrested and booked into the Harris County Jail on a charge of child endangerment with intent to return. Her bond was set at $5,000 by the 176th District Court.

“The safety of our children is always our highest priority,” Constable Mark Herman said. “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. If you see a child in danger, don’t hesitate to call 911.”