The parents of a young girl in Texas have been charged with endangering her safety after she was found walking alone along a busy highway on her way to school in the early morning hours.
Authorities arrested a 23-year-old woman and a 27-year-old man after their daughter was spotted alone on Rankin Highway while it was still dark. Responding to emergency calls, police discovered the child on the 1600 block of the road. Upon speaking with her, they learned that she had been forced to walk to school because her father refused to drive her.
According to investigators, the girl was attempting to reach her elementary school on foot, a journey that was estimated to take an hour and a half. Officers believed she had already been walking for 45 minutes before being found.
After picking her up, officers placed the girl in their vehicle to warm her and provided her with a snack. She told them it was her first time walking from home to school, that she was unsure of her route, and that she had nearly been hit by a car while crossing the street.
An estimated route was mapped from the location where she was found to her school, confirming that she still had another 90 minutes of walking ahead of her when officers intervened.
Following the investigation, both parents were taken into custody and charged with abandoning or endangering a child with imminent danger. They were booked into the local detention center and later posted bail. Their arrest dates and any upcoming court appearances were not publicly available at the time.
The incident has raised concerns about child welfare and parental responsibility, as the young girl was exposed to significant danger, including the risk of being struck by a vehicle in the dark. Authorities have emphasized the importance of ensuring the safety of children, particularly during their commutes to and from school.
Cases of child endangerment continue to be a significant issue, with incidents like these highlighting the risks that children can face when left without proper supervision. Law enforcement officials have urged parents and guardians to prioritize the well-being of their children and to explore safer alternatives for school transportation when personal circumstances make driving them impossible.
Officials have not released additional details regarding potential further legal action against the parents. Meanwhile, the young girl’s welfare remains a priority for authorities as they continue their investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident.
