A Texas woman, aged 55, has been apprehended after accusations of confining a 7-year-old girl in her care using zip ties, sealing her mouth with duct tape, and imprisoning her in a dog cage for extended periods. The woman, identified as Rose Marie Anderson, was taken into custody last weekend. She faces felony charges of unlawful restraint and injury to a child, according to records examined by legal experts.
The alleged incident occurred in Anderson’s apartment located on Dixie Drive in Houston, around December 13, as per court documents. The identity and age of the young victim have been withheld, but it has been confirmed that the two are related.
The criminal complaint against Anderson alleges that she intentionally and unlawfully restrained the child without her consent, using force to significantly interfere with her freedom. Prosecutors also claim that Anderson knowingly inflicted bodily harm on the child by kicking her.
Further details about Anderson’s alleged crime were provided in a motion for sufficient bail. The motion revealed that Anderson was the sole caregiver for the child at the time of the incident. It stated that Anderson locked the child in a dog cage next to a Christmas tree for hours, kicking her while she was confined. The child was zip-tied, her mouth was duct-taped shut, and she was left without access to food, water, or a bathroom, leading to her urinating on herself.
Authorities have suggested that Anderson’s motive for this alleged crime was to discipline the child for her behavior at school. The Texas Department of Family Services, in a statement to a local ABC affiliate, confirmed that the child had been removed from the home and was now safe.
The department’s spokesperson, Melissa Lanford, stated that Child Protective Services were investigating the abuse allegations in conjunction with law enforcement. She confirmed that the child was now in foster care, receiving the necessary care.
Anderson was processed at the Harris County Jail and was released on Monday after posting a $5,000 bond. As part of her release conditions, Anderson is required to personally appear for all her court dates and is prohibited from engaging in any conduct that could lead to her arrest or from threatening, harassing, or assaulting the alleged victim. Anderson is expected to appear in court again on January 6, 2025.