Mom accused of abandoning 2 daughters for weeks in Katy-area home, authorities say

KATY, Texas (KTRK) -- Authorities in Katy are searching for a woman they said left her two young daughters' home alone for weeks, according to court documents.

Rayshawna Dowdell is accused of leaving her 11-year-old and 6-year-old in mid-February. Court documents state that the 11-year-old told investigators she was responsible for caring for her younger sister, including preparing for school and getting food.

Documents add that a neighbor called authorities at the end of March, saying the girls were staying with her after she met them at the park, and they told her they'd been living alone.

Deputies said they found messages from the 11-year-old girl to Dowdell, "expressing distress, lack of food, fear," and inability to care for her 6-year-old sister.

During an investigation into the case, court documents state Dowdell admitted to being out of state, claiming she was at a funeral. Investigators said the children were eventually found at a home in Ohio, where Dowdell has deep ties, during a welfare check, but didn't elaborate.

Authorities said Dowdell is still on the run.