A Houston mother has been charged with two counts of injury to a child after allegedly beating, neglecting and verbally abusing her 4-year-old daughter and 6-year-old son, according to court documents.
Authorities were alerted to 29-year-old Markita Chante Phearse's alleged abuse when investigators arrived at her apartment to find two malnourished children, KHOU reported.
When investigators arrived, Phearse's children allegedly reported being left alone for two days without food or water. They reportedly described being physically assaulted by their mother, with the son revealing that he had never attended school, according to court documents obtained by the station.
The apartment was allegedly found with holes in the walls, water on the floor and trash scattered everywhere, the documents stated according to KHOU.
The children were taken to a hospital, where medical staff noted signs of abuse, including burns on the young girl.
Despite investigators being present, Phearse was reported to have yelled at the children to remain silent. She was charged with two felony counts and appeared in court Tuesday, where her bond was set at $15,000 per charge.
Phearse is prohibited from contacting her children if she makes bond and must comply with orders from Texas Child Protective Services, including taking a parenting class within 30 days.
The investigation is ongoing, while the children remain in protective care.
Originally published on Latin Times
