A woman and her partner have been detained following allegations that they ‘abandoned’ a child by purportedly vacating their home without informing him.
In Texas, Erica Renee Sanders and Kevin Dwyane Adams are facing serious charges after an unusual incident.
The couple allegedly relocated from their apartment while the 12-year-old was attending school, taking numerous belongings with them without notifying the child.
They are now facing charges of child abandonment and endangerment without intent to return, as stated in court documents reviewed by KWTX.
The principal of the child’s school alerted the Copperas Cove Police Department to the situation at approximately 5:18 pm local time on October 17.
According to the child, who spoke with officers, he was unaware of any plans to move. He stated that upon returning from school, he found that the furnishings and other items present earlier were missing.
Police confirmed this account, describing the residence as ‘empty and completely barren.’
Neighbors also spoke to the authorities, alleging that the couple had a ‘history’ of expelling the child from the home.
The child mentioned that he was informed by the couple ‘that they were moving at some point’ but was not given specifics about the timing.
Adams, currently in police custody, contested this narrative, stating that his girlfriend ‘had not abandoned’ her son.
He asserted that ‘she was living with him now and [her son] was not welcome in his home.’
Sanders claimed that her brother, who is the boy’s uncle, was supposed to collect him from school. However, she did not provide the authorities with contact information or further details about her brother.
Adams contradicted this by claiming that he intended to collect the 12-year-old and take him to his uncle’s place.
However, ‘several hours’ passed without any attempt being made to collect the child.
Authorities eventually reached the uncle’s girlfriend, who stated he was unaware of the need to pick up the child.
The boy was placed under the care of Child Protective Services, who later instructed that he be released to Adams.
Later that evening, around 9:30 pm, Adams took custody of the child but was subsequently arrested alongside Sanders.
According to the affidavit, the child was eventually placed with his uncle.
The Copperas Cove Police Department has been contacted for further comment.