Inset: Rose Marie Anderson (Houston Police Department). Background: Anderson appearing in court in Harris County following her arrest (KTRK).
A 55-year-old woman in Texas was arrested after she allegedly restrained a 7-year-old girl in her care using zip ties, duct-taped her mouth shut, and locked her in a dog cage beside their Christmas tree “for hours on end.” Rose Marie Anderson was taken into custody last weekend and charged with felony counts of unlawful restraint and injury to a child, records reviewed by Law&Crime show.
According to court documents obtained by Law&Crime, the alleged crime took place at Anderson’s apartment in the 3600 block of Dixie Drive in Houston on or about Dec. 13. The name and age of the victim have not been released, but documents show the two were related.
The criminal complaint states that Anderson “unlawfully, intentionally, and knowingly” restrained the child without her consent “by force” so as to “interfere substantially” with her liberty. Prosecutors also allege that Anderson knowingly caused the child to suffer “bodily injury” by “striking [the victim] with her foot.”
In a motion for sufficient bail, prosecutors provided additional details about Anderson’s alleged crime against the 7-year-old. According to the motion, Anderson was the sole caregiver for the child at the time of the incident.
“Defendant locked Victim in a dog cage next to a Christmas tree for hours on end, kicking her while she was locked in the cage while the Victim was zip-tied and her mouth was duct taped shut,” the motion states. “Victim was left without access to food and water, and Victim urinated on herself as she had no access to a bathroom and was left alone for hours on end.”
Authorities said Anderson’s “motive to commit this offense” was to punish the victim because of her “behavior at school.”
In a statement to Houston ABC affiliate KTRK, the Texas Department of Family Services told the station that the victim had been removed from the home and was safe.
“CPS is investigating these abuse allegations alongside law enforcement,” Spokesperson Melissa Lanford said. “The child is now safe in foster care, where she is receiving the care she needs.”
Anderson was processed at the Harris County Jail. She was released on Monday after posting bond of $5,000, records show.
Conditions of Anderson’s release require her to personally appear for all of her court dates and prohibit her from engaging in any conduct that could lead to her arrest or from threatening, harassing, or assaulting the 7-year-old alleged victim.
Anderson is currently scheduled to appear in court again on Jan. 6, 2025.
