Add thelocalreport.in As A Trusted Source
A Texas mother who allegedly shot two of her children to death and wounded two others has a fifth child who is still missing five days after the fatal attack.
Oninda Romellus, 31, has been arrested and charged with multiple counts of murder following a shooting in Houston early Saturday morning.
After calling 911, police found all four children in her vehicle at a gas station. The shooting is believed to have occurred inside a vehicle, the Brazoria County Sheriff’s Office said in a statementWhen deputies arrived at the scene, they immediately began life-saving assistance to the children.
Romelus’ three-year-old daughter and 13-year-old son were pronounced dead at the scene. Their eight-year-old son and nine-year-old daughter were taken to Memorial Hermann Hospital in Houston and are expected to recover. Both children are talking with investigators, KHOU reported.
After the shooting, investigators searched the family’s home in Porter and discovered they also had a 17-year-old child, according to court documents. Fox26. The search for the teenager entered the fifth day on Wednesday.
Investigators also recovered “a large quantity of Social Security cards and other identification documents containing identifying information of multiple individuals” during the search, including U.S. Treasury checks addressed to the home under various names.
Romelus called 911 around 4:45 a.m. Saturday and told dispatchers to have police meet him at the gas station.
According to court records, surveillance video shows Romelus talking on his phone while refueling at a gas pump. Brazoria County deputies said she seemed disoriented and unresponsive when they made contact with her.
When investigators tried to question him at the gas station, court documents say Romelus appeared alert, but gave incoherent answers.
When asked why she called 911, she reportedly replied: “Instead of them doing this to me, I’m going to do this to them.”
When pressed to explain, Romelus said, “Kill them all,” according to court documents.
She also reportedly told investigators that she had not called 911 but instead called him “the devil.”
When investigators asked him what he meant, he reportedly said: “They’re dead,” and added: “Because you can’t take me without I take you.”
When Romelus was later questioned at the Brazoria County Sheriff’s Office, he also reportedly made several “incriminating statements.” KHOU reported.
Romelus has been convicted until 2022 of driving under the influence of drugs in Fayette County, Georgia.
Texas Department of Family and Protective Services spokeswoman Melissa Lanford confirmed that the agency is investigating, and that Romelus was known to authorities.
“Child Protective Services is investigating this matter and ensuring that the safety and well-being of the surviving children is our first priority,” Lanford said.
“Ms. Romelas has had contact with CPS on another occasion. Details of that conversation are confidential but will be included in the public child death report upon completion of our investigation.”
Romelus is being held in the Brazoria County Jail on $14 million bond.