A Houston mother of five who was arrested for leaving four of her children in a locked car on a scorching summer day to buy pizza has broken her silence.
Destiny Morales was arrested Thursday and charged with abandonment of a child with intent to return, according to Harris County Sheriff’s Precinct 4.
The young mother went to the Sam’s Club in the 300 block of E Richey Road to pick up a pizza, leaving her children alone in a closed car for more than 40 minutes on a day when temperatures were in the 90s and the heat index made it feel like 109 degrees, according to the National Weather Service.
Horrified witnesses called police to report that the children were alone in a locked vehicle. They said the car was in motion and the children were heard screaming. Some were visibly sweating and appeared flushed, according to a news release.
Morales said Fox26 Houston that he would “never harm” his children and felt that what was reported was “the opposite of what happened,” but also admitted that he “was wrong” and felt remorse.
Destiny Morales was arrested Thursday and charged with abandonment of a child with intent to return, according to the Harris County Sheriff’s Precinct 4.
The young mother was arrested and booked into Harris County Jail before being released on bail, but it’s unclear what the bail amount was or when her next court date will be.
Morales told authorities he was only in the store for 30 minutes, but during the investigation police said the time was closer to 46 minutes.
The young mother said the air conditioning was on and told them her children were not locked inside the vehicle. fox 5 reported.
When police arrived, they discovered the air conditioning was on in the vehicle, but said the vents were blowing warm air instead of cool air on a day with temperatures in the triple digits.
Emergency services arrived at the scene and assessed the children.
Child Protective Services was also contacted.
After Morales ordered the pizza and walked Outside he saw that his children were already out of the car.
She saw something from the store. employees who were caring for her children and was arrested shortly after.
Morales told the outlet that while she was waiting to pick up her food, her daughter ran inside the store because she and her brother were fighting.
It is not clear how old Morales’ children are.
Morales, who was visibly upset by what happened, told the outlet: “I take care of my children. I love my children. I do so many things.”
He added: “One mistake and it ruins my whole name, my character.”
The Sam’s Club and the location on East Richey Road where Morales left her four children in a hot car last week
Morales, who was taken to the Harris County Jail, was released on bond, although bail information was not released.
He is currently awaiting a court hearing date.
According to the latest figures from the National Security CouncilSo far in 2024, there have been 18 deaths from car accidents. In 2023, the total number was 29.
Earlier this month, Arizona father of three Christopher Scholtes was charged with second-degree murder and child abuse after leaving his two-year-old daughter, Parker Scholtes, in a car where temperatures soared to a lethal 108 degrees.
Her daughter was left abandoned in theThe family’s blue 2023 Honda Acura SUV sat in the driveway of their Tucson, Arizona, home for up to three hours while he reportedly played his PlayStation.
When his wife, doctor Erika, returned home, she made a terrible discovery. She performed CPR and tried other life-saving measures, but unfortunately it was too late and her daughter died.