SAN ANTONIO – The mother of two young children discovered bound in the backyard of a home in Northeast Bexar County is being questioned in San Antonio after she was located in California Monday.
The unnamed woman's toddlers were found by sheriff's deputies late Thursday night in the 8100 block of Chipping. One of them was chained to the ground and the other was tied to a door with a dog leash, the Bexar County Sheriff's Office said.
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The Sheriff's Office said the woman had recently relocated to California. No charges have been filed as of Tuesday, but the investigation is ongoing.
Six other children were found unattended inside the home. Their mother, Porucha Phillips, 34, was arrested Friday and charged with injury to a child. Her common-law husband has not been charged.
The eight children are in the care of Child Protective Services. The two children who were restrained outside the home are still in the hospital as of Tuesday. The other six children are in foster care, the Sheriff's Office said.
Two hearings have been set for May 11, where a volunteer with Child Advocates of San Antonio will be assigned all eight children.
The case that the Sheriff's Office has called horrific has generated a lot of attention nationally and locally with people wanting to donate to help the children.
"We'll ensure the volunteer gets the clothing, or the toys, or the bicycles or whatever they plan on buying for those kids. We'll make sure those very specific children get those items," said Yolanda Valenzuela of CASA.
She said people who suspect child abuse is taking place should not hesitate to call 911.
Click here for more information on how to help abused children.