NACOGDOCHES, Texas — What officers expected to be a routine welfare check turned into something far more alarming when they stepped inside a home on EJ Campbell Boulevard last Saturday evening.
Inside, they found three children living in conditions that prompted an immediate arrest and a call for emergency medical services.
What officers found inside the home
Police arrived at the residence around 5:25 p.m. after being called to conduct a welfare check.
What they encountered inside was deeply troubling.
The home contained an extreme amount of trash, rotting food, human or animal feces, and a significant insect infestation. The children had no access to running water and no suitable place to sleep.
Their clothing was visibly soiled.
Children showed signs of untreated medical conditions
Beyond the living conditions, officers noted that all three children had visible signs of medical issues that had gone untreated.
These included skin conditions and reports of severe stomach pain.
Emergency medical services were called to the scene and treated the children on site.
Mother arrested and charged
Keosha Hubbard-Woodson, 28, was arrested on August 9 and charged with three counts of endangering a child — one count for each child found in the home.
She is currently being held in the Gregg County Jail without bond.
The allegations are detailed in an arrest affidavit filed by Nacogdoches police officers who responded to the scene.
Children now in state custody
Following the arrest, Child Protective Services took custody of all three children.
The case remains active as authorities continue their investigation.
The charges against Hubbard-Woodson have not been proven in court, and she is entitled to due process and the presumption of innocence unless found guilty by a court of law.
What do you think communities can do to better protect children in situations like this before it reaches a crisis point? Share your thoughts in the comments.