Mother Accused of Child Neglect After Traveling for Date

A mother, Reese Louise Myers, aged 25, faces charges for allegedly abandoning or endangering a child. This charge was brought forward by the Killeen Police Department following an incident that allegedly occurred in July. Myers was extradited to Texas from California after being arrested by the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Office on a fugitive warrant on November 5, as reported by police to The Independent.

The incident in question unfolded on July 28, when officers were dispatched to an address on 600 W Hallmark Ave in Killeen, Texas, around 9:50 a.m. after concerns were raised regarding the welfare of a child. Upon arrival, police discovered a 16-month-old child near a broken window, which had been repaired using plexiglass and cardboard. The child was precariously positioned, with an aggressive dog reportedly trying to attack, as stated by a witness.

Inside the apartment, officers found the child dressed only in a t-shirt, with visible feces on their skin and signs of a possible diaper rash, according to details from Killeen PD. It was noted that the child had been left alone with two dogs in the apartment. During police contact, Myers purportedly disclosed she was in San Antonio, having traveled there on July 27 to meet a man she encountered via a dating site, identified as «Hinge» according to an affidavit.

The case was complicated by Myers’ assertion that she had arranged for a babysitter through Facebook to care for the child in her absence. However, the alleged babysitter communicated with the police that her last interaction with Myers had been prior in December 2023, and not since. This is corroborated by Facebook messages, as seen by Killeen PD.

Following these developments, the child underwent medical assessment at Advent Health in Killeen before Child Protective Services subsequently took custody. Special Victims Unit detectives presented the case to the Bell County District Attorney’s Office, resulting in Myers being charged with child neglect.

Myers was eventually arrested and booked into Bell County Jail as the investigation continues.