Toddler Filmed Wandering Alone in Woods at 3 a.m.; Mother and Grandmother Arrested in Bexar County

A 2-year-old girl in Bexar County, Texas, was captured on a property owner's game camera wandering alone in the woods at about 3:00 a.m. on Friday, Dec. 5. The footage reportedly showed the child wearing only a dress and no shoes, with overnight temperatures in the 40s — conditions the sheriff’s office described as potentially life-threatening.

Deputies said the homeowner reviewed the video and called authorities; deputies were dispatched to the area around 6:00 a.m. A search for the toddler began immediately.

At 7:20 a.m., the child's mother, identified as Haley Peoples, reported that her 2-year-old had left the home earlier that morning. According to the sheriff’s office, Peoples later told investigators she had found the child outside at approximately 4:15 a.m. but did not notify law enforcement while the search was underway.

When deputies went to the family residence, they reported finding unsanitary and hazardous conditions, including trash, soiled clothing, rotting food, rat droppings and a strong odor of urine. The 2-year-old was described as soiled; an EMS worker requested a medical evaluation, which deputies say Peoples declined, refusing to change the child's clothing or accept care.

Because of the hazardous home conditions, the refusal of medical care and the imminent risk to the child, deputies detained Peoples. She was charged with Abandoning/Endangering a Child — Imminent Danger of Bodily Injury and booked into the Bexar County Jail. Court records show she was later released after posting a $50,000 bond.

The child's grandmother, Rebecca Kelly, reportedly returned to the scene but left after being asked to wait for a supervisor. Deputies allege that shortly afterward Kelly went to an elementary school and attempted to remove three of the child's siblings from class just before 9:00 a.m. School staff said Kelly told the children not to talk about the earlier incident and said Child Protective Services was coming, calling the matter a "private family matter." Deputies say this action interfered with the child-safety investigation and endangered the siblings.

Kelly was detained at the school and arrested on suspicion of Interference with Investigation of Abuse/Neglect. She was booked into the county jail and later released on a $7,500 bond, according to court records. All four siblings — each under the age of eight — were transported to a hospital for evaluation.

The Bexar County Sheriff's Office said the case remains under investigation. PEOPLE contacted the sheriff's office for comment. Officials included resources for anyone who suspects child abuse: the Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline at 1-800-4-A-Child (1-800-422-4453) or www.childhelp.org, available 24/7 and toll-free in more than 170 languages.

Note: The arrests and allegations described in this report are based on the sheriff’s office statements and court records; defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.