STOCKDALE, Texas – An investigation is underway in Wilson County after three children were found in horrible conditions inside a home in Stockdale, court records obtained by KSAT 12 confirm.
Three children, ages 4, 2, and 1-years-old, were found severely malnourished and covered in feces earlier this week and have since been taken to a hospital.
The children had been living with their maternal grandmother at a home in the 7400 block of State Highway 123.
She was given a sole managing conservatorship over them last year, records show.
A Wilson County Sheriff’s Office investigator said an older child in the home reported the abuse Tuesday by sending a text message to 911.
A CPS spokeswoman confirmed Friday the children were taken to a Floresville hospital then later moved to the Children’s Hospital in San Antonio. The two youngest children are in the intensive care unit of the hospital.
The Wilson County Sheriff’s Office confirmed a criminal case is underway and that charges could be filed as early as Monday.
According to the affidavit for removal, the children endured physical abuse and were forced “to eat their bowel movements if they pooped in their diapers” by a man who lived in the home at one time. A Wilson County sheriff’s investigator said Friday it appears the man was no longer living there when they began investigating earlier this week.
A CPS investigator who responded to the home Tuesday reported that it was covered in trash, leftover food, feces and urine, the affidavit states.
The 16-month-old, who was described as severely malnourished and weighs 12 pounds, had sunken eyes, pale skin and was unable to stand on her own, records show.
The 2-year-old, who also showed signs of severe malnourishment, was immobile and had the body size of a child much younger than his age, the affidavit states.
CPS investigators had visited the home in December and February and found the children to be sufficiently cared for, according to court records and multiple sources.
Check back for updates to this story as more information becomes available.