Mom accused of abandoning 4 kids for 16 hours without food, water, or heat in home

TOMBALL, Texas (KTRK) -- A Tomball mother was arrested for allegedly leaving her four kids under 10 years of age home alone, without heat or food.

Records show Christina Stewart, 35, was charged with two counts of abandoning a child with intent to return and was released on a personal bond.

On Dec. 19, authorities say a principal at Tomball Elementary School noticed a 5-year-old girl showed up to school wearing soaking wet clothes and shoes.

Deputies with the Harris County Precinct 4 Constable's Office then responded to a welfare check call at her home on Elmira Street, about 10 minutes from the school.

According to court documents, Stewart left her 8-, 5-, 4-, and 2-year-old kids unsupervised for about 16 hours.

Records revealed all four kids were found at home without food, water, or heat. Additionally, a long kitchen knife was reportedly accessible to all of them.

The children are currently with a family member who arrived on the scene.

As part of her case, a protective order was issued to keep Stewart away from her children.

She was given two personal bonds at $5,000, meaning she does not have to pay for release if she promises to appear in court.

ABC13 tried to reach Stewart at her home, but she wasn't there. The phone number on her bond paperwork filed on Wednesday is out of service.

Records show Stewart's next court date is Jan. 19, 2024.

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