A Texas woman is facing serious charges after allegedly locking a young girl inside a dog cage under a Christmas tree for hours. Rose Anderson, a 55-year-old single mother from Houston, has been accused of tying up the seven-year-old with zip ties, taping her mouth shut, and physically abusing her. The shocking incident reportedly happened around December 13 at Anderson’s apartment near Old Spanish Trail and Dixie Drive.
Court documents reveal that Anderson left the girl without food, water, or access to a bathroom, forcing her to urinate on herself while trapped in the cage. Anderson has been charged with unlawful restraint and injury to a child. Prosecutors say she claimed the disturbing actions were meant to discipline the child for her behavior at school.
After her initial court hearing, Anderson was released from the Harris County Jail on a $10,000 bond. Meanwhile, the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services confirmed that the young girl has been placed in foster care, where she is receiving proper care. A spokesperson for the agency explained that both CPS and law enforcement are investigating the case.
Neighbors in the area were stunned by the allegations. One resident, Lonnie Hatchet, shared his disbelief, saying, “It’s strange. What happened to just a timeout? Take away a Christmas gift or something, but a dog cage? That’s just wrong.”
Authorities learned about the situation through an electronic tip. Anderson is scheduled to appear in court again on January 6. It remains unclear how she is connected to the child.
This horrific case comes just months after a similar incident in Pennsylvania, where a couple was charged with abusing their six-year-old daughter. Jacob William Weight Sr., 37, and Mimi Ann Frost, 33, are accused of locking the child in a dog crate at night in their home in Brownsville Borough. The abuse came to light when the child had a seizure and became unresponsive on February 6.
When authorities arrived at the couple’s home, they described it as being in a terrible state, with dog feces, trash, and urine everywhere. Inside the house, officers found a large black dog crate in the living room, which had blankets and debris scattered around it.
Investigators revealed that the couple’s abuse of the six-year-old included zip-tying her hands and feet, refusing to clean her, and even forcing her to eat her own waste. One child told authorities that Frost had beaten the young girl with a broom. The couple had six children living in the home, but only the six-year-old was targeted.
The little girl’s body was covered in sores, and she was reportedly septic when help finally arrived. Authorities believe she was subjected to ongoing torture. Fayette County District Attorney Mike Aubele said the situation was heartbreaking, adding that the child’s suffering was unimaginable.
Both cases highlight the horrifying abuse that some children endure, sparking calls for better protections and awareness to prevent such tragedies in the future.
