HOUSTON — A homicide investigation is underway after a woman and toddler were found dead in a west Houston apartment complex early Friday morning, according to the Houston Police Department. Police said the woman’s brother was detained at the scene and was taken in for questioning.
HPD Assistant Chief James Bryant said officers were flagged down by a family member of the woman around 2:45 a.m. regarding a disturbance. When officers got to the apartment, the brother stepped out. Bryant said the officers detained him after noticing blood in the apartment and on the man.
The officers then searched the apartment and found the woman and toddler dead. Police said the woman was between the ages of 25 and 30. The toddler was between the ages of 2 and 4.
Bryant said police are still in the early stages of the investigation and the exact cause of death has yet to be determined. He said there was an earlier call for service at the apartment by an anonymous neighbor reporting some sort of disturbance.
One neighbor who didn’t want to be identified told KHOU 11 he woke up to the chaotic scene.
“It’s kind of like they were screaming and kind of arguing. It sounded to me like people were drunk coming in after Thanksgiving, you know, celebration somewhere,” the neighbor said. “But it was loud. You know, everyone was kind of either yelling at each other or yelling for somebody.”
He told KHOU 11’s Julissa Garza that he did eventually see firefighters, police and an ambulance show up at the scene.
Resources for victims of domestic or family violence
Domestic and family violence cases in the Houston area have increased at an alarming rate. Victims often suffer in silence because they feel scared, helpless or ashamed.
If you or someone you know is a victim of domestic violence, here are some discreet ways to reach out for help.
The Houston Area Women’s Center has a 24-hour hotline for victims of domestic violence at 713-528-2121 or 1-800-256-0551.
The Family Time Crisis Center can also be reached 24 hours a day at 281-446-2615.
The National Domestic Violence Hotline is 1-800-799-SAFE (7233).
Crisis Text Line: Text START to 88788.