A 12-year-old boy returned home from school to find his house completely empty after his parents moved away without telling him.
Police in Copperas Cove, Texas, said the child contacted authorities on Friday, Oct. 17, after discovering that his family’s belongings were gone and his mother and her partner were nowhere to be found.
Officers identified the adults as Erica Renee Sanders and Keven Dwayne Adams, who reportedly had been discussing a move but never told the boy when it would happen.
When the child realized the home on Primrose Drive had been cleared out, he reported to a neighbor, who then called police. That same neighbor told investigators the couple had previously kicked the child out of the home several times.
When questioned by law enforcement, Adams and Sanders claimed the child was supposed to stay with an uncle, but they refused to provide the uncle’s contact information.
Officers eventually located the man, who said he had no knowledge of any arrangement to care for the boy.
Investigators said both adults also declined to share their new address with child protective services.
Police later arrested Sanders and Adams, charging them with abandoning or endangering a child without intent to return.
During interviews, Adams allegedly “complained at length” about his girlfriend’s son and appeared frustrated by questions about the incident.
Authorities said the boy is now safe and receiving support from child welfare officials.
Prosecutors in Coryell County are reviewing the case, and both adults remain under investigation.
Neighbors expressed shock over the situation, describing the boy as polite and quiet.
“He’s a good kid,” one neighbor told reporters. “It breaks your heart that someone could just leave their child like that.”
Texas law defines child abandonment as leaving a minor in circumstances where they face potential harm and the parent or guardian has no intent to return. Under state law, such offenses can result in prison sentences of up to 10 years, depending on the level of neglect or danger involved.
