SAN ANTONIO – San Antonio police have arrested a woman two days after two toddlers were found alone and tied up or otherwise trapped in a Southeast Side home’s bedroom.
Priscilla Ann Salais, 37, was taken into custody Tuesday on two counts of endangering a child.
Salais kept her head down, only saying the information was wrong and to ask her grandmother.
The discovery happened Sunday afternoon in the 400 block of Bailey Avenue near Rigsby Avenue, when a woman called 911 asking them for help checking on her grandchildren in a locked bedroom, according to Salais’ arrest affidavit.
Firefighters forced their way into the room, and found the children inside. The girl’s wrists and ankles were tied, and the bindings were tied together, according to the affidavit. She had visible injuries, including a black eye and bloody lip, according to the arrest affidavit.
The boy was found in a playpen “that was completely covered” by a changing table and baby carrier, trapping the child within the enclosure. The boy’s diaper was “heavily soiled,” according to the affidavit.
“What she did to these children is unforgivable,” Police Chief William McManus said about the arrest on Tuesday.
Salais was given temporary custody of the children because their parents are being investigated by Child Protective Services due to concerns of physical abuse, according to the affidavit.
Isabella, the mother of the children says that Salais is her stepmother and she trusted her to care for her children.
According to a CPS representative, Salais is not a licensed foster care parent in the state of Texas.
Right now, the 1-year-old and 2-year-old are in foster care now, but Isabella has a message to share with them.
“Tell them that I’m sorry, I’m sorry that it got this far and that I should never have trusted anybody with them. And that I just want them to come home already,” Isabella said.
While being taken into custody, Salais denied the charges against her, telling reporters they needed to “get their facts straight” about the case.
Salais’ father, Billy said his daughter would never hurt a child, he claims someone else did this, and Salais was watching the kids to help Isabella.
“The kids she’s taken into her home out of the kindness of her heart is because that’s the kind of person she is. Now this sensationalized version that’s being portrayed on her is totally inaccurate,” Billy Salais said.
There’s still a question as to how the children were placed in Salais’ care. We’re still working to find that answer.