by Houston, TX – Authorities have arrested a 32-year-old Texas woman who runs a licensed home day care after she allegedly left five young children in a parked car during sweltering heat while she went grocery shopping, taking only her own two children inside with her.
The incident has sparked outrage among parents and community members, with police calling it a clear case of child endangerment.
Incident at Houston Kroger
According to court filings from Harris County, Domonique L. Wilson drove to the Kroger in the 6300 block of Telephone Road at around 12 p.m. on Friday, August 1.
Inside her vehicle were seven children—five clients’ children from her day care and her own two children. Prosecutors say Wilson took her two children into the store but left the other five in the car with the windows barely cracked and no air conditioning running.
The children left in the car ranged in age from 10 months to 8 years old, including a 1-year-old, a 2-year-old, and a 6-year-old. Outside temperatures were 91 degrees, creating dangerous, potentially fatal conditions in the vehicle.
Witness Discovery and Rescue
Authorities say a Kroger store manager discovered the children in distress, “red-faced and crying,” and immediately intervened.
One witness told KHOU they saw the manager running with two children—one in her arm and another in a carrier—while shouting for an officer. The witness said the manager insisted the vehicle was not running and the children were visibly sweating.
Surveillance Footage Reveals Timeline
According to abc13, store management reviewed security footage showing the children were left alone in the vehicle for over 40 minutes.
During Wilson’s first court appearance, a judge warned of the extreme danger:
“That is a very dangerous situation,” the judge said, according to courtroom footage from KRIV.
Day Care Background
State records from the Texas Department of Health and Human Services show Wilson operates a licensed home day care called “My Little Angels” in the 8100 block of Stone Street.
The facility is licensed to care for infants, toddlers, and kindergarteners with a maximum capacity of three children at a time.
Inspections in April 2025 and earlier found no deficiencies, and no complaints had been filed prior to this incident.
Wilson’s Statement vs. Witness Accounts
In the store, Wilson allegedly claimed the air conditioning was running and that two of the children were hers, but witnesses and surveillance evidence contradicted those statements. The manager was reportedly adamant the engine was off and the children were left unattended in unsafe heat.
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Charges and Legal Penalties
Wilson faces five felony counts of child endangerment, accused of “intentionally and knowingly engaging in conduct that placed the victims in imminent danger of bodily injury and death.”
In Texas, child endangerment is a state jail felony punishable by up to two years in state jail and a fine of up to $10,000 per count. If convicted on all charges, Wilson could face significant prison time.
Next Steps in the Case
Wilson is currently held at Harris County Jail on a $10,000 bond and is scheduled to appear in court again on October 15. The Texas Department of Family and Protective Services has not yet commented on whether her day care license will be suspended or revoked.
Heat Dangers for Children
Experts warn that even a few minutes in a hot car can be deadly for children. On a 91-degree day, temperatures inside a parked car can soar past 110 degrees within minutes, leading to heatstroke or death.
According to KidsAndCars.org, at least 38 children die in hot cars each year in the U.S., many due to being left unattended.
Have you or someone you know experienced unsafe conditions at a child care facility? Share your story in the comments and join the discussion on how we can keep our children safe. For more local updates and safety news, visit ibwhsmag.com.
