Boys, ages 12, 7, accused of stabbing 59-year-old woman in Harris County, Texas: Police
A woman is in critical condition after Harris County, Texas authorities say she was stabbed by two children.
Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez said in a social media release Saturday that deputies responded to a residential neighborhood northwest of Houston.
Police believe the woman in her 50s was stabbed by two kids who immediately fled the scene. The woman was in critical condition over the weekend but recovering Monday, police said.
HSCO spokesperson Thomas M Gilliland told USA TODAY a family member called 911 for the woman after she said the boy "poked her in the stomach," and he saw the wounds.
A 12-year-old boy was charged with aggravated assault, and he was brought into custody. A 7-year-old also allegedly involved was not charged, as the minimum age for criminal charges is 10-years-old in Texas.
Police said Child Protective Services was notified and the investigation is ongoing.
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Mother of charged 12-year-old apologizes
Click 2 Houston reported that the two boys, who were brothers, got into an argument with the 59-year-old woman, rode their bikes away and then returned 12 minutes later while she was in her garage, where the incident occurred.
The woman was stabbed several times in the abdomen, according to Click 2 Houston.
“I’m sorry to the family. I’m very sorry that my son’s committed the incident. And I’m praying for your health, for your wellness,” the mother said, according to Click 2 Houston, adding that her son has some mental health problems.
A neighbor identified the boys as being from the neighborhood, according to local station ABC13.
"Never did any of us think that it was going to be kids from the neighborhood that came in and attacked her," the neighbor, who asked not to be identified, told ABC 13. "If they have the ability to go and do that to an older woman who clearly has mental issues after our neighbor down the road tells them, 'Hey, leave her alone,' it's a concern."
USA TODAY is not naming the boys or their mother to protect the privacy of the children.