A 24-year-old Texas mother, D. Celaya, is facing serious charges after her 2-year-old son was found wandering alone on the street, nearly a quarter mile from their home, dressed in only a diaper. According to authorities, Celaya was allegedly high on drugs and didn’t realize her son was missing for over two hours.
Celaya has been charged with abandoning or endangering a child with knowledge, recklessness, and criminal negligence. She was booked into the county’s adult detention center on the evening of July 29 and released shortly after posting a $50,000 bond.
The incident came to light when G. Rauhuff, a local resident driving her children to school, spotted the toddler walking alone without shoes or a shirt. Concerned for his safety, she took him home and contacted the sheriff’s office around 9:30 a.m. Deputies later confirmed the boy had been walking unsupervised nearly a quarter mile from his home.
Despite the report, Celaya didn’t call authorities about her missing child until more than two hours later. When questioned, she told deputies she had only just realized he was gone, but investigators quickly found evidence contradicting her statement.
Upon arriving at Celaya’s home, deputies noted a strong odor of marijuana. A search revealed both marijuana and drug paraphernalia inside. Security footage later showed the child exiting the house through an open garage door around 9:10 a.m. Over two hours later, a woman—believed to be Rauhuff—was seen knocking on Celaya’s door, which she ignored, claiming she didn’t recognize the visitor.
Neighbors expressed outrage, shocked that the child could wander so far without anyone noticing. Rauhuff described the scene as deeply disturbing and said she couldn’t believe no adult was around to care for the boy. The child’s father later arrived at the home, but his involvement in the case remains unclear.
Child Protective Services (CPS) has placed the toddler with relatives. Officials also confirmed that additional children were removed from the household, though they haven’t revealed how many.
While Celaya is now out on bond, prosecutors argue that the combination of her delayed reaction and the presence of drugs points to a troubling pattern of neglect. Authorities credited Rauhuff’s quick response with possibly preventing a tragedy and reminded the public that brief lapses in supervision can lead to serious consequences.
The case underscores the real dangers children face when left unsupervised—especially in extreme conditions like the Texas heat. Celaya’s court hearing is expected in the coming weeks. In the meantime, officials continue to assess the safety of the home and investigate the extent of the alleged neglect.
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