Montgomery Co. mother arrested in Alabama months after allegedly abandoning 2 children, police say

ROMAN FOREST, Texas (KTRK) -- A Montgomery County mother accused of abandoning her two young children months ago was taken into custody on Wednesday, according to Roman Forest police.

Raven Yates, 31, still needs to go through processing in Alabama before law enforcement brings her back to Montgomery County to face charges. Detectives had been looking for Yates since December. Roman Forest police Chief Stephen Carlisle said a U.S. Marshals taskforce had to break down the bedroom door of an older man's apartment to find her.

The video above is from a previous report.

Yates allegedly left her 12-year-old daughter and 3-year-old son alone at their home in the 2000 block of Maplewood Ridge Drive.

SEE ALSO: Montgomery County mom accused of abandoning 2 young children home alone for nearly 2 months

Investigators added that Yates threatened her daughter that the girl's father would take her and leave her brother alone if she told anyone.

Fearful of what may happen, the 12-year-old would get food by telling her father that Yates was working, and he would order food sent to the house. It was not until family members spotted Yates in Mobile, Alabama, where she is from, that they contacted the child's father because the kids were not with her.

Following an investigation, an arrest warrant was issued for Yates on Dec. 8, 2022.

Police added that Yates has been actively making posts about the situation, which led to tips and leads in the case on where to find her. When authorities followed a tip to the apartment in Mobile, the manager confirmed Yates was staying there with a man. At 4:30 p.m. local time Wednesday, the friend cooperated with entry into the apartment, and Yates was arrested.

"She was photographed in handcuffs with a full smile on her face and seemingly unbothered by the charges against her for allegedly putting her own children in danger," Carlisle said. "I don't know if she was playing a part or whatever it is, but she, I think, was playing for the camera. She wanted to have a smile. She wanted to look good. The arresting officer reportedly said she asked about putting lipstick on before the photo was taken."

Now, Yates is waiting to be extradited back to Montgomery County.

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