KILLEEN, Texas (KWTX/Gray News) - A mother in Texas allegedly left her toddler home alone with two dogs so she could meet a Hinge date out of town, according to authorities.

On July 28, at around 9:50 a.m., Killeen police were sent to an apartment complex for a child welfare check.

Before arriving on the scene, officers were told that a child was hanging out of a broken window and an aggressive dog was trying to attack the child.

Once authorities arrived on the scene, they found a 16-month-old toddler with his head and shoulders hanging out of the window of a ground-level apartment, and an aggressive dog was charging at other residents who were attempting to help the child.

Officers noticed the window was not shattered, but that it had been previously repaired with cardboard and plexiglass.

After removing the cardboard and plexiglass to get inside the apartment, they found the 16-month-old child wearing only a shirt with visible feces on his skin and showing signs of diaper rash.

The mother of the child, Reese Louise Myers, was contacted by police.

Myers said she was in San Antonio to meet a guy she met on the dating app Hinge.

San Antonio is roughly 160 miles southwest Killeen - about a 2.5 hour drive.

Myers also allegedly told police that she had a babysitter who she contacted through Facebook to look after the child.

Police met with the babysitter, who previously babysat for Myers on Dec. 2, 2023, and she told authorities that she had not spoken to Myers since that time.

Myers was arrested and charged with abandoning/endangering a child.

LAREDO, Tex. (KGNS) - United Independent School District (UISD) has released a statement about a law enforcement investigation into one of its vendors, Eyeview Security & Investigations.

The district says authorities reviewed the company through a security audit but have not shared specific details. Eyeview Security & Investigations, which provides services to UISD campuses as needed, was required to present its licensure and certification before securing the contract.

“UISD relies on vendors to ensure they follow and are in compliance with all applicable laws and regulations,” the statement says. The district added that school safety is not affected and said it is fully cooperating with the investigation.

KGNS has not independently confirmed the details of the investigation.

ZAPATA, Tex. (KGNS) - The Mexican Consulate will have a mobile unit in Zapata on Saturday, November 23, to help Mexican citizens with several different procedures.

The consulate will offer its services from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Zapata County Technical and Advances Education Center, located at 605 Highway-83.

They will also be helping with passports, voting cards, and other legal paperwork.

Horacio Mungia with the Mexican Consulate added, “Our Protection Department will be having information for you in regards to immigration issues and everything that is happening at this time, so please join us.“

The Mexican Consulate encourages people to call (424) 309-0009 to make an appointment, but walk-ins are welcomed.

LAREDO, Tex. (KGNS) - Laredo police are asking for help to find a man wanted for assault and family violence.

Jairo Omar Parada-Suarez has a warrant for his arrest. Police say he is often seen in Laredo’s downtown area.

If you know where he is, call Laredo Crime Stoppers at 956-727-TIPS. Tips that lead to his arrest could earn you a reward of up to $1,000.

Police ask anyone with information to come forward.

LAREDO, Tex. (KGNS) - Three suspected human smugglers were arrested in Laredo following the death of a Guatemalan citizen in July.

Two of the three, Dagoberto Flores and Angel Elias, are Laredo residents. A third, David Gomez Flores, is a Mexican national.

All three were expected to make an appearance before a federal judge this morning on Monday, November 18. Three others were previously charged and arrested.

The case dates back to July 2, when law enforcement pursued a group of suspected undocumented immigrants loading into a truck near a Laredo ranch.

That’s when the car suddenly came to a stop and all the occupants fled into the brush. Eventually, authorities discovered the body of a deceased man in the brush.

After an investigation, authorities were able to link the individual to the same human smuggling organization involved in the July 2 incident.

Currently, all six are charged with conspiracy to smuggle an undocumented immigrant, placing a life in jeopardy and causing serious bodily injury and resulting in death.

LAREDO, Tex. (KGNS) - Missed last Friday’s downtown tree-lighting? No worries—head over to TAMIU this evening for their traditional holiday tree-lighting ceremony and campus decorations!

What to Expect:

• Live music performances 🎶

• Children’s choirs 🎤

• Letters to Santa 📬

• A special visit from Santa Claus 🎅

This free event is open to everyone! Visitors are also encouraged to bring non-perishable food items to support Dusty’s Food Pantry, which helps students living on campus.

📅 When: Tonight, 6–8 PM
📍 Where: Front lawn of Killam Library, facing University Boulevard

Join the celebration and spread the holiday cheer! ✨

LAREDO, Tex. (KGNS) - Nearly a million dollars worth of marijuana was kept from making it onto the streets.

The bust happened on Friday, November 15, at the World Trade Bridge when Customs and Border Protection officers referred a 2023 Chevrolet S-10 Max pulling a shipment of seat cushions in for secondary inspection.

It was there that they found more than 350 pounds of marijuana hidden with the items.

The drugs had an estimated value of about 804 thousand dollars.

Currently, the Department of Homeland Security is heading the investigation.