Mother of 2 children found chained, bound located in Calif.

BCSO: No charges filed yet; woman cooperates with investigators

SAN ANTONIO – Bexar County Sheriff's Office spokesman James Keith said the unnamed mother has not been charged and is cooperating with the investigation.

“We’re trying to figure out what role she may have played in this and whether she even knew what was going on,” Keith said.

The woman's two toddlers were found late Thursday night sheriff's deputies. Six unsupervised children, ranging in age from 10 months to 10 years, were also found in the home in the 8100 block of Chipping.

Another woman, Porucha Phillips, 34, was charged with injury to a child by omission and serious bodily injury.

Phillips’ common-law husband is still being questioned but has not been charged.

“We believe these children were abused previously, in addition to that night,” Keith said.

The children who were outside the home remain in the hospital.

Keith and Child Protective Services said the case has touched many people’s hearts worldwide. People are asking how they can help the children or become foster parents themselves.

A Texas Department of Family and Protective Services spokesman provided the criteria to become an adoptive or foster parent, as seen below.

The prospective foster/adoptive parents may be single or married and must:

  • Be at least 21 years of age, financially stable, and responsible mature adults
  • Complete an application (staff will assist you, if you prefer)
  • Share information regarding their background and lifestyle
  • Provide relative and non-relative references
  • Show proof of marriage and/or divorce (if applicable)
  • Agree to a home study which includes visits with all household members
  • Allow staff to complete a criminal history background check and an abuse/neglect check on all adults in the household
  • Attend free training to learn about issues of abused and neglected children
  • The training provides an opportunity for the family and DFPS to assess whether foster care or adoption is best for the family. The family may withdraw from the meetings at any time. There is no charge for the meetings. Foster/adoptive parents generally train together.

    In addition to the basic requirements, foster parents must:

  • Have adequate sleeping space
  • Allow no more than six children in the home, including their own children or children for whom they provide day care
  • Agree to a nonphysical discipline policy
  • Permit fire, health and safety inspections of the home
  • Vaccinate all pets
  • Obtain and maintain CPR/first aid certification
  • Obtain TB testing as required by the local Health Department for household members
  • Attend 20 hours or more of training each year
  • The next monthly meeting to learn more about becoming a foster and/or adoptive parent in the San Antonio/Bexar County area will be held from 9:30-11 a.m. Saturday the DFPS Office at 3635 S.E. Military Drive.

    Anyone who wishes to assist the children of Bexar County who are in CPS care are asked to contact the Dare to Love Sponsorship Program. The nonprofit supports Bexar County children in foster care, often referred to as the Rainbow Room.


    About the Authors

    David Ibañez has been managing editor of KSAT.com since the website's launch in October 2000.

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