I'm a little skeptical regarding the line about Mom just moving out. Notice that we only have the neighbor's report of this--presumably from a distance. Very often abusive and neglectful fathers are abusive and neglectful partners, so I think it's highly likely that Mom's disappearance is just a tad more complicated than up and leaving and abandoning her kids. It will be interesting to see if anybody follows up on this.
Dad is identified as RANSOM DAVID DAVIS.
He sounds a lot like my ex, who managed to retain custody for 11 years with a house like this--thanks to Family Court Judge Judith Claire and her fathers rights cronies.
http://www.click2houston.com/news/man-accused-of-leaving-toddler-in-home-with-feces-urine-trash/25433718
Man accused of leaving toddler in home with feces, urine & trash
Author: Joel Eisenbaum, Investigative Reporter, Anchor,
Erica Young, News Producer
Published On: Apr 11 2014 12:08:01 PM CDT Updated On: Apr 11 2014 06:57:18 PM CDT
HOUSTON -
A Deer Park man has been charged with endangering a child. He plead guilty to the same crime in 2011.
Ransom David Davis, 35, is accused of failing to provide safe living conditions at his home for his two sons, ages 3 and 8, as well as his daughter, age 13.
"It was completely covered with dog feces and dog urine. It was trashed, trash everywhere, broken glass shards through the inside and out," Deer Park Police Detective J.R. Hill said.
Child Protective Services removed the children from the home on Wednesday. A spokesperson for the state agency said the children are temporarily staying with a family friend and remain together.
Police noted the children had access to an unsecured pellet gun at the James Street home. The pool, dirty, and only partially filled, was also cited as a hazard, according to court documents.
Davis is being held on $2,000 bond.
Neighbors report the children's mother moved out of the home a few months ago.
A family friend seen cleaning up the outside of the home on Friday said the children were not in danger at the house.
"You know how kids are, they make a mess," said a man who identified himself as Oscar.
Police and neighbors agree the children did not appear to be undernourished.
Officially, a CPS spokesperson would not comment how a father convicted of a child abuse charge could regain custody of his children. However a source within the agency told Local 2 that parents are afforded every opportunity to get their children back if a problem is deemed "fixable."
The source added that judges decide whether kids are reunited with parents, not CPS.
A 2011 guilty plea for the same charge noted drug use by Ransom Davis, and easy accessibility to used syringes by the children. He received deferred adjudication in that case with two years probation and a $200 fine.