HISD employee accused of possession of child pornography

Henry Walter Hauffe, 63, is charged with four counts of possession of child pornography.

  HOUSTON (KTRK) -- A $10,000 bond was set Friday for a Houston ISD district clerk accused of downloading child pornography.

Henry Walter Hauffe, 63, was arrested Thursday and charged with four counts of possession of child pornography. A cyber crime task force investigation led to a search of Hauffe's home back in February. There, investigators uncovered explicit images of young girls stored on his computers.

No word why eight months passed between the search and his arrest. A spokesperson for HISD tells us Hauffe's duties did not involve any interaction with children.

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Sex offender back in jail after officers say they found child porn on his laptop

Jack Edward Logan faces three charges of possession of images of child pornography and one count of violation of a protective order.

  HOUSTON (KTRK) -- A registered sex offender went back to jail after officers say they found child pornography on his laptop.

Jack Edward Logan faces three charges of possession of images of child pornography and one count of violation of a protective order. Harris County Precinct 4 investigators say Logan went to his wife's home in violation of that protective order. Deputy constables say Logan left his laptop there.

The wife gave the computer to authorities who say they found numerous images of child porn on the laptop.

Logan was arrested and placed into the Harris County Jail without incident.

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Pilot from The Woodlands arrested on child porn charge

  THE WOODLANDS, TX (KTRK) -- A man stepped off a plane Saturday and into handcuffs for charges of possessing child pornography.

The Montgomery County Precinct 3 constable's office says it found the videos at the home of Andrew Robinson of The Woodlands. Robinson is a pilot for Saudi Aramco and was out of the country.

He returned Saturday and authorities were waiting for him at Bush Intercontinental Airport.

"He was somewhat surprised," said "We believe that he had information that we were going to be waiting for him."

Robinson is in the Montgomery County Jail on three counts of possession of child pornography. The constable's office says the arrest is part of a new program targeting child predators.

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DA: Paramedic in possession of child porn was found in bed with a boy during a search warrant

Chaise Michael Green, 28, is charged with three counts of possession of child pornography.

  HOUSTON (KTRK) -- A local firefighter and paramedic is accused of possessing images and videos of child porn.

On September 26, the Harris County Pct. 4 Constables Office say they executed a search warrant at a Spring area residence in reference to an investigation involving the alleged possession and possible distribution of child pornography.

During the search of the residence, investigators say a male identified as Chaise Michael Green was found in bed with a prepubescent male child.

Investigators say they discovered multiple images and videos of child pornography on Green's personal laptop computer and storage device.

Court documents state Green had recently worked as a fireman and was employed as an Emergency Medical Technician with a local ambulance company.

Green, 28, is charged with three counts of possession of child pornography. Bond has been set at $60,000 total.

Authorities say they are interviewing the boy found in bed with Green and further charges may be filed against Green.

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Woman gives child to CPS, gets charged with abuse

  HOUSTON (KTRK) -- A Houston couple is accused in the alleged abuse of a four-year-old girl left in their care.

On August 13, Eutha Nicole Oliver reportedly took the little girl to Children's Protective Services and told officials there she was turning over a child who had been left in her care. Court documents state that an ambulance then took the little girl to Memorial Hermann Hospital because she was suffering pelvic fractures as well as other bruises and injuries.

The girl reportedly told police that Oliver kicked and stomped on her, and whipped her with a belt on numerous occasions. The girl said the abuse began shortly after she arrived at Oliver's home on August 3 and continued daily until she was taken to CPS. She also told police that Oliver's husband did nothing to stop the abuse.

Oliver's husband, Shawn Conery Carter, told police no abuse ever happened at his home, that the girl arrived with some of the injuries, and inflicted some of the bruises on herself while she was there. He added that he and Oliver had even considering adopting the little girl, according to court documents.

Oliver is charged with injury to a child and Carter is charged with injury to a child by omission.

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DA: Mom accused of child endangerment after passing out at hotel

Amanda K. Burns, 27, is charged with endangering a child.

  HUMBLE, TX (KTRK) -- An Humble mother is accused of leaving her young child unsupervised after she passed out from drinking and taking pills at a hotel.

Court documents state Humble police on September 4 responded to the Rodeway Inn on Humble Westfield where they say Amanda K. Burns was under the influence of alcohol and prescription drugs and was unconscious.

Police say her 3-year-old son left the hotel room when a male hotel guest spotted the child. The man says he took the boy back to his mom, only to find Burns passed out in a chair outside of a hotel room and that he carried Burns to her bed.

The man says he took the boy to his room and fed him and let him watch television until his father arrived.

According to investigators, Burns had poor balance and spoke with a thick tongue. She told police that she drank a "4-Loco" and took a mood stabilizer, sleeping pill and anti-depressant pill.

Burns, 27, is charged with endangering a child.

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Police: Possibly more victims of accused child predator

Duane Parker, 49, of Louisiana, was arrested in Webster last month after a lengthy investigation.

  HOUSTON (KTRK) -- Investigators believe there could be more victims of an accused child predator recently arrested.

Duane Charles Parker, of Louisiana, was arrested in Webster last month after a lengthy investigation. Police say Parker, 49, assaulted his own daughter and solicited numerous young girls online.

Through his business 1-800-CRAWFISH, also known as Crawfish Unlimited, Parker traveled frequently between Louisiana and southeast Texas.

Authorities are asking anyone with information about additional victims to call the Montgomery County Precinct 4 Constable's Office at 281-577-8985.

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HISD teacher accused of distributing child porn

HOUSTON (KTRK) -- He's been working with children in Houston for years. Now, a local elementary school teacher is behind bars, facing child pornography charges.

Authorities are accusing former Anderson Elementary School third grade teacher Juan Villarreal of distributing child pornography. Police say the children seen on the obscene videos could have been as young as eight years old.

Now he's in federal custody and that's where many parents believe, he should remain.

For Maria Garcia, the Labor Day holiday is off to a rocky start.

"I have a 5-year-old and a 7-year-old, and I'm thinking about maybe changing schools," she said.

Her children brought home a letter from school she'd rather not have to read.

"There was a lady walking behind me and I'm like, 'Did you just read this letter?' and I showed it to her and we were both like, oh my goodness," Garcia said.

Federal agents arrested Villarreal early Friday morning after raiding his Mission Bend home. On his computer allegedly were dozens of sexual pictures and video of girls, and boys between the ages 8 and 15.

We went to Villarreal's house but his wife and daughter wouldn't talk to us.

Late this afternoon, HISD released a statement, reading in part:

"The safety of all the students is top priority. The district takes these charges very seriously and will work closely with law enforcement agencies."

"He was teacher last year for my son," a concerned parent told us.

Villarreal faces between five and 20 years in prison, if convicted and will likely never teach again.

It's a reality too confusing for his young students.

"We are sad," one student told us.

It's even tougher for parents to explain.

"Really, I don't know yet. I have to think about it and talk to my wife about it before we tell them what's going on," concerned father Arturo Ponce said.

Villarreal's detention hearing is set for September 5.

Meanwhile, counselors will be on hand at Anderson for students or parents, who need them.

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Elderly man charged with sexual assault now facing child porn charges

Theogil F. Cuttler, 73, is charged with sexual assault of a child under 17 years of age

  HOUSTON (KTRK) -- An elderly man already facing charges of sexually assaulting a teenage boy is now facing additional charges including child pornography.

In May, Theogil F. Cuttler, 73, was accused of sexually assaulting a teenage boy who was doing odd jobs around his house. Court documents state on May 16, a 15-year-old boy who was an acquaintance of Cuttler's went to his Webster residence to do some odd jobs for money, when the boy says Cuttler told him that he could make an extra $5 for engaging in a sex act.

Now Cuttler is facing a charge of sexual performance by a child and a charge of possession and promotion of child pornography. According to court documents, a 15-year-old boy told Webster police that Cuttler photographed and took video recordings of him nude in return for small amounts of money.

A search warrant executed on May 18 at Cuttler's residence discovered a digital camera containing many photos and videos of the boy as well as multiple other young boys, court documents show.

Bond has been set at $50,000 for each of the two new felony charges.

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Houston doctor accused of possessing child porn

HOUSTON (KTRK) -- A local neurologist faces serious charges after taking his computer in for repairs, and it's what police found on that computer that landed him in jail.

Dr. Robert J. Kolimas is in jail on $100,000 bond. He's charged with five counts of possession of child pornography, which was allegedly found on his computer.

He stood in court at 2am Friday where he heard the charges against him.

"The youngest, he thought, child porn photo he sent to someone else over Yahoo Messenger was 10 years of age," said a prosecutor in probable cause court.

Dr. Kolimas is director of the Neurology EMG Laboratory at the VA Medical Center, where he's worked for 31 years. Prosecutors say he took his personal computer to a repair place, but when a technician found more than 40 sexually explicit pictures on his hard drive, he turned Dr. Kolimas in to police.

"How do I go about trying to get my own lawyer?" Dr. Kolimas asked the judge.

In court, the doctor seemed confused, aloof, asking very basic questions, seemingly needing help with a bond and a lawyer. His neighbors in West University are stunned, particularly, they say, with so many children living on their street.

"The ages were really very young. We moved in seven years back when my girls were six, four and two," said one neighbor.

The VA Medical Center says Dr. Kolimas is currently not on duty. The Department of Veterans Affairs says it is cooperating fully with this investigation. We're also told authorities have seized Dr. Kolimas' work computer.

Dr. Kolimas is due back in court on July 11.

(Copyright ©2012 KTRK-TV/DT. All Rights Reserved.)
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Gospel musician accused of aggravated sexual assault of child

  HOUSTON (KTRK) -- A gospel musician who has performed at various churches in our area has been arrested for sexually assaulting a young girl. The alleged assault happened at the Zion Watchtower Baptist Church in Richmond.

According to the arrest warrant, a 13-year-old girl states that 42-year-old Rodney Marcus Grimsley, a guitar player who would perform at churches around Fort Bend and Harris counties, assaulted her. It allegedly happened between services last Sunday. He saw the girl, according to investigators, standing outside with other children.

Chief Deputy Craig Brady of the Fort Bend County Sheriff's Office said, "They were outside playing. He struck up a conversation with her and got her to go back inside the facility for a few minutes and that was enough."

The warrant states that the she followed him into a room inside the church where the alleged assault took place. Afterward, Grimsley and the girl are said to have exchanged cell phone numbers. Then came the Facebook chats with Grimsley, which the girl's mother discovered.

"The mother picked up on some of the conduct that she was doing on Facebook and inappropriate comments, and that's when she got involved and notified us," Brady said.

Grimsley was arrested Wednesday night at his home. He has children of his own, according to the sheriff's office. And according to the chief deputy, he didn't deny the allegation.

"Mr. Grimsley has admitted his actions involving the girl," Brady said. "He has confessed to the offense and is currently incarcerated on $175,000 bond."

But Grimsley's fiance, Monica Allen, says she's been with him for nine years and can't believe the allegations.

"Rodney is always talking about God and he's always willing to help somebody," she said. "He's that person that if you are stuck on the street, he's going to pull over and help you."

Allen says she hasn't talked to him since he was arrested, so she is waiting to hear from him.

"I pray for him, wherever he is. If he is seeing this, I pray the angels protect you and I pray that God reveals the truth," she said.

Investigators are asking parents who attend churches where Grimsley may have performed to talk to their children to see if there may be other cases.

Grimsley is being held on $175,000 bond at the Fort Bend County Jail.

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Man pleads guilty to making, possessing child porn

  HOUSTON -- A suburban Houston man has pleaded guilty to possessing and conspiring to produce child pornography after sexually explicit photos of a child staying in his home were found on his home computer.

A Justice Department statement says Matthew David Eyerly entered his guilty pleas Wednesday in federal court in Houston. He could be sentenced to 15 to 30 years in prison for conspiracy and up to 10 years for possessing child pornography.

According to the statement, FBI agents traced child pornography to a computer used by Eyerly in 2006. Agents found Eyerly and, searching his home computer with his consent, found sexually explicit images of children. Some involved the child of a woman with whom he was involved.

Eyerly will remain in custody pending sentencing scheduled for Aug. 1.

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League City man arrested on child porn charges

Kevin Ferguson, 54, was charged with three counts of possession of child pornography, with a total bond of $120,000.

  LEAGUE CITY, TX (KTRK) -- An area man is under arrest in connection with allegations of child pornography.

The League City Police Department, along with the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, executed a search warrant in the 3000 block of Mystic Port Lane on Tuesday morning. The warrant is the culmination of a joint investiation into the downloading and sharing of child pornography.

Kevin Ferguson, 54, was charged with three counts of possession of child pornography, with a total bond of $120,000.

According to police, there is no evidence at this time to suggest that any local children were involved and the investigation is ongoing. Persons who may have information related to Ferguson are asked to contact Detective Marty Grant.

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Ex-park ranger from Galveston gets 15 years for child porn

  HOUSTON -- A retired federal park ranger living in Southeast Texas has been sentenced to 15 years in prison in a child pornography case.

A federal judge in Houston on Monday sentenced 65-year-old Douglas Crockwell Demmon of Galveston. Demmon in February pleaded guilty to distribution of child pornography.

The case was sparked by a 2010 tip from the National Center For Missing and Exploited Children originally investigated by Maryland State Police.

Law officers in Houston last year examined two computers in Demmon's home and recovered child pornography images.

Further details on where Demmon served as a U.S. park ranger were not immediately released.

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Crime Stoppers wraps up successful campaign targeting child predators

HOUSTON (KTRK) -- Investigators call them the worst of the worst -- child predators on the run from the law. Crime Stoppers just wrapped up a month-long safety campaign targeting those fugitives, and Eyewitness News has a sneak peak at the results.

This is the sixth year that Crime Stoppers has done this. A new component was added to the campaign and organizers say it's one of the reasons why it was such a huge success.

Targeting the Houston area's most wanted child predators.

"It's a unique collaboration in the nation to try and protect kids in our community," said Katherine Cabaniss with Crime Stoppers.

With some 1,600 in Harris County alone, Crime Stoppers calls it the largest child safety campaign in the organization's history.

"The amount of predators out there is alarming. Very scary, very scary. Especially when you have little kids, little ones; it definitely heightens your awareness," said parent Damon Barone.

"Within 24 hours of our kick-off press conference, the first fugitive was in custody," said Cabaniss.

Last year, more than 150 child predator fugitives were arrested during the month of April. This April, authorities captured 153 -- roughly the same the number -- and cleared 195 warrants. Eleven of those arrests were based on actual tips from people who visited the organization's web page where photos of more than 850 felons wanted for crimes against kids were featured.

"It's a testament to the partnerships that we have here in Harris County that are strong and productive and they keep our community safe," said Cabaniss.

As part of its campaign, Crime Stoppers partnered with local, state and federal law enforcement to hunt down these fugitives. Crime Stoppers also rolled out more than a dozen giant billboards across the city.

"We need to be informed. I think that's part of the problem. People want to be ignorant concerning these issues. I have five kids of my own, so I want to know if anyone in my neighborhood or anyone around could be a possible danger to my kids," said parent Frederick Banks.

Crime Stoppers will hold a news conference this Friday to go over the results. As always, cash rewards were offered for information leading to arrests in these cases.

(Copyright ©2012 KTRK-TV/DT. All Rights Reserved.)
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City leaders, retailers announce new partnership, 'Child Safety Starts With You'

HOUSTON (KTRK) -- A new partnership to keep children safe was announced today. Houston city leaders and local retailers are behind the campaign called "Child Safety Starts With You."

Seven big retailers -- including Walmart, Target, Walgreens, Fiesta, Kroger, H-E-B and Randalls -- are part of this partnership with the Houston Police Department. The intent is to prevent crime, but also to keep children safe in stores and in parking lots.

We are nearing the end of the school year and start of summer, so this program is kicking off at a good time, with law enforcement and community leaders reminding you not to ever leave your children unattended in cars, whether on or off. It's a particularly relevant reminder during Houston's hot summer months.

"Whether the car is locked or not, leaving the car running unattended can lead to disastrous results in a matter of seconds. Like the van says, don't take your chances with your precious cargo," said Asst. Chief Dan Perales with HPD.

Mayor Annise Parker and other community leaders were on hand to check out the "Heat Van," featuring a thermostat inside. And even on a milder day like today, the temperature was rising inside that van.

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Harris County deputy constable accused of sexual assault of a child

HOUSTON (KTRK) -- It was his duty to uphold the law. But now, a Harris County Precinct 5 deputy constable is behind bars, accused of sexually assaulting a child.

Deputy Jeremy English was arrested Friday outside of a hospital. Authorities say a teen is accusing him of sexually assaulting her when she was 14-years old.

That teenager is a relative of the deputy constable. Now instead of reporting to work like he was suppossed to, English found himself in a court of law where a judge outlined the charges against him.

As a Precinct 5 deputy constable, English is supposed to uphold the law. Now he's accused of breaking it. The 28-year-old peace officer went before a judge to face three counts of sexual assault of a child and one count of online solicitation of a minor.

The alleged victim is now 17, but prosecutors say she was a minor -- just 14 years old when she and English first engaged in sexual activity. Investigators say she told a relative. The allegations were then reported to the authorities. Harris County Sheriff's Office investigators arrested English Friday afternoon while he was working his second job as a security officer at North Cypress Medical Center.

No one answered the door at English's northwest Harris County apartment. English has worked patrol for Precinct 5 for almost four years. The charges against him may put his career in jeopardy.

"Right now, Deputy English is relieved of duty without pay pending the outcome of the investigation. We will help the sheriff's department any way we can with their investigation," said Lt. Warren Steffenauer with the Precinct 5 Harris County Constable's Office.

English's bond has been set at $80,000. We called his wife for a comment and are awaiting a response.

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Child injured in carnival ride accident at Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo

  HOUSTON (KTRK) -- A three-year-old girl was injured in an accident at the RodeoHouston carnival Wednesday.

The accident happened at about 2:20pm. Leroy Shafer, Chief Operating Officer of the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, told Eyewitness News the little girl, who is tall for her age, met the height and weight requirements of the Techno Jump ride, but was riding with her brother, rather than an adult.

According to witnesses, the mother decided to get off the ride before it started, leaving the girl and her brother on the ride.

The ride has a lap belt and restraining bar, but Shafer says the boy was unable to prevent his sister from crawling out of the seat. The girl fell a short distance to the ground just after the ride started moving.

The girl was taken to Texas Children's Hospital to be checked out. Shafer said she suffered a contusion on the side of her head and abrasions on her face, but a CAT scan and X-ray tested negative for more serious injuries. She will be OK, minus a painful wound and a bad memory.

Shafer emphasizes it is parents' responsibility to watch out for their kids. He says the Techno Jump is not a kiddie ride.

"The thing I want to emphasize to parents...be responsible out here," Shafer said.

Rodeo officials also say the ride operator is not at fault because she met the height requirement for the ride and there was no way to know that she was so young.

Rodeo spokesperson Sarah Poole says the ride was last inspected on Tuesday, and passed inspection.

The ride was shut down for an investigation but because incident records came back clear for the ride, it reopened later Wednesday afternoon.

Jerry Hagins with the Texas Department of Insurance also says the state has one reported injury of a slip and fall in 2008, but it didn't happen in Houston. The state also said the ride is in compliance with insurance and inspection requirements through March 31, 2012.

Rodeo officials says they will enforcing a policy for the Techno Jump until the end of this year and then they'll review it for the future.

"The ride operators are not going to let a child that's under 48 inches of height ride on the ride if the companion is not an adult," Shafer said.

State Representative Garnett Coleman says lawmakers need to do their part to maintain safety. He's working on legislation to hold traveling carnivals to the same safety standards as permanent ones.

"Clearly there needs to be more scrutiny on traveling amusement rides," Coleman said in a statement. "This is a yearly story with this particular operator that someone is hurt or killed."

Last year, a man fell to his death from a carnival roller coaster ride on the last night of the rodeo.

But in this particular accident, parents we talked to said it was the parent, not the carnival ride operator or the rodeo, who they felt was at fault.

"If the child is 42 inches tall and they're three, then I would get on with them. She's eight and I'm getting on with her," parent Shanta Robinson said.

We asked CPS if they plan to investigate Wednesday's incident and the agency said they don't plan on it because it appears to be a case of a parent just making a bad decision.

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Ex-HFD captain accused of child porn possession

  HOUSTON (KTRK) -- A former Houston Fire Department captain who allegedly admitted to police he is a sex addict is accused of possessing images and videos of child porn.

Saul Fiszer, also known as "Abe," is charged with three counts of possession of child pornography. Court documents state that Fiszer's wife reported to police that her husband had a problem with child pornography and had been seeking counseling. She told police that she discovered that Fiszer had been frequently texting and calling a 14-year-old girl in Wyoming. She said the girl referred to Fiszer as "Daddy" and that she was apologetic for her actions.

"She (Fiszer's wife) originally believed that there was some kind of extramarital affair. She was able to gain access to his phone," said Harris County Assistant District Attorney Shannon Davis.

Fiszer's wife told investigators that she contacted the girl's parents as well as police in Wyoming to report the incident. Police there confiscated the girl's cell phone.

According to court documents, Fiszer's wife confronted him about the girl and she said he admitted to her that he had been chatting online and exchanging lewd pictures with the girl. The wife also told authorities that she had previously destroyed Fiszer's old laptop after she discovered he had been chatting with other women on the internet.

Police executed a search warrant and confiscated Fiszer's current laptop as well as a thumb drive. They say they found at least three images and videos of child porn on those two items.

"The forensic preview from what is in the case here shows a number a different children and some images of him, but not him with children," Davis said.

Court documents state investigators say Fiszer told them that he was a sex addict and that he looks at porn and child porn online. He also admitted that he shares pictures and videos with others online and that he is involved with role playing and fantasies.

Police say Fiszer also told him that he tried to commit suicide after his wife learned of his relationship with the 14-year-old girl.

Fiszer is an 18 year veteran of HFD and was assigned to Station 21. He had been relieved of duty with pay pending the results of the ongoing investigation, however, HFD says Fiszer turned in his resignation papers on Friday morning.

"Mr. Fiszer has requested and signed his resignation from the Houston Fire Department, so he is no longer a Houston firefighter," said Houston Fire Chief Terry Garrison.

An investigation has been launched by HFD.

"Part of our investigation will be to determine if there was any impropriety with any of our computers or our city equipment. That will be an ongoing investigation, yes. We will definitely look into that," said Chief Garrison.

Fiszer, 49, was arrested on January 24. Bond has been set at $20,000.

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Crosby teenager, his mom accused of enticing Pearland child through Facebook

HOUSTON (KTRK) -- A Facebook flirtation leads to the arrest of a Crosby woman who helped her son meet a 13-year-old Pearland girl and take the girl away.

We hear about kids who meet strangers online and the bad things that can happen. Well one 13-year-ld Pearland girl knows first hand how scary things can get when your online friends meet you face to face.

"I was really scared," the girl said.

It's been a rough week for this 13-year-old Pearland girl, and it all started with a Facebook friendship with a 16-year-old boy.

"He was playing around with me, saying he was going to kidnap me, but I didn't think he was really going to do it," the girl said.

But within a few weeks, the flirtation turned into a face-to-face meeting when the 16-year-old boy arrived at the girl's school with his mother in tow.

"So I decided to go with him, and when I was there, they were treating me good and everything but I did not know what was happening," she said.

Pearland police say on Tuesday, 37-year-old Dorothy Montenegro and her son took the girl from Pearland to their home in Crosby 40 miles away. After a few hours, the girl says things went bad when her cell phone started receiving text messages from her worried parents.

"He like broke my phone kind of and stole it from me," the girl said.

Back in Pearland, the girl's parents filed a missing persons report then hit the Internet and tracked down Montenegro's address. They say that's when the cops headed to Crosby.

"We were in the back seat and his mom was in the front seat driving and the cops came up to the car and told us to get out of the car and they took me away from them," the girl said.

While she is home now, the 13-year-old says no one should follow her example.

"I would tell them not to meet guys on Facebook and to be careful who they meet," the girl said.

Good advice, according to Katherine Cabaniss with Houston's Crime Stoppers, who adds parents need to pay close attention to a child's online friendships.

"You would never think about sending your 13-year-old to the mall and saying invite anyone into our house and welcome them into our living room. You would never think about that, but when you allow a child to talk to someone on the Internet unsupervised, it is just like inviting a stranger into your living room," Cabaniss said.

The 16-year-old boy and his mom were both charged with misdemeanor counts of enticing a child.

We worked on this story with The Pearland Journal, a Houston Community Newspapers partner. You can read more about this case in The Pearland Journal.

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pearland, local, jeff ehling

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