A shocking incident in Texas has captured national attention: a mother is accused of shooting four of her children—killing two and injuring two—and law enforcement now says she has a -fifth child missing. The case raises urgent questions about the mother’s motives, mental health, prior history, the missing child’s fate, and how child protection agencies will respond. This article pieces together what’s publicly known so far, where gaps remain, and what to watch going forward.

The Known Facts

The shooting incident

On the morning of October 4, 2025, in Angleton, Texas, police responded to a 911 call and found a horrific scene: four children inside a vehicle, all suffering gunshot wounds. Two were declared dead at the scene—a 13‑year‑old boy and a 3‑year‑old girl. The other two, ages 8 and 9, were critically injured and airlifted to a Houston hospital, where they remain under medical care in “stable condition.”

The mother, identified as Oninda Romelus, aged 31, was located at a nearby gas station calling 911. She was taken into custody, and a firearm was recovered from the scene.

Brazoria County Sheriff Bo Stallman announced that the woman is being held on a $14 million bond and faces charges of two counts of murder and two counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon.

Investigators say Romelus, when questioned, made bizarre and paranoid statements: she allegedly told police her children were “with the devil” and “dead to her,” and said she believed “you can’t take me without me taking you.”

The missing child

Perhaps most alarming in this case is that Romelus reportedlyhas a fifth child, age 17, who was not present at the shooting scene and could not be located during police searches.

Court documents obtained by local media indicate that law enforcement began a multi-day search for the teen, raising fears over his whereabouts and welfare.

Authorities have publicly confirmed that the search for the missing teenager is ongoing, and that they treated the absence as a separate investigation thread.

Romelus’s background & red flags

Some further context has emerged:

Romelus had appeared previously on Lauren Lake’s Paternity Court (a TV show exploring paternity disputes) regarding her older children.

In the search of her residence inPorter, Texas, investigators reportedly found materials suggesting identity fraud: dozens of Social Security cards, identification cards, credit cards, printers, shipping labels, and document‑forging equipment.

The Texas Department of Family and Protective Services confirmed that Romelus had prior contact with Child Protective Services (CPS), though the details of that interaction remain confidential and under investigation.

Critical Questions & Evidence Gaps

While the known facts are harrowing, many crucial questions remain unanswered. Below is a breakdown of major unknowns and what additional information would help clarify them.

What happened to the 17‑year‑old child?

Missing or absent? It is not yet confirmed whether the 17‑year‑old is a victim, a willing runaway, or somehow complicit—or whether he was never present during the incident.

Last known location and contacts: Investigators need the teen’s last verified address, phone records, digital footprints, social media activity, and known associates.

Possible witnesses or leads: Neighbors, relatives, school records, transportation logs, or prior police reports might help trace his movement.

Interagency cooperation: Because this child is missing across jurisdictions (Angleton, Porter, possibly others), coordination among city, county, and state agencies is essential.

Motive & mental state

What triggered the shooting? Romelus’s statements about demonic possession or devilish interference suggest possible mental health disturbances—but motive remains speculative.

Medical or psychiatric history: Records of psychosis, prior hospitalizations, substance abuse history, or suicidal ideation would be crucial to evaluate her capacity and potential defense strategies.

Forensic and ballistic analysis: The crime scene, trajectory of bullets, autopsies, gun ownership records, fingerprints, and surveillance footage will all play critical roles in the prosecutorial case.

The role of CPS and prior reports

Extent of prior involvement with Child Protective Services: Was there documented abuse or neglect, previous investigations, or reports from neighbors or schools?Failures or gaps: Did CPS receive warning signs but lack resources or legal authority to intervene? Were there protective orders, restraining orders, or restraining mandates in place?

Children’s statements & cooperation

The surviving 8‑ and 9‑year‑old children are reportedly cooperating with investigators, but the content and reliability of their statements remain under wraps.

Whether those children can accurately recollect the events—and how trauma, fear, or influence might affect their testimony—will be key in court.

Legal, Social & Ethical Implications

This case raises a host of legal, social, and ethical issues, including criminal culpability, mental health defenses, child welfare system effectiveness, and public safety.

Criminal proceedings and defense

The charges are severe: murder and aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. If convicted, Romelus faces life imprisonment or a similarly harsh penalty under Texas law.

Her mental state may become central to her defense. Her statements about evil or demonic forces could suggest an insanity plea or diminished capacity claim. The court will likely order psychiatric evaluations.

Discovery and disclosure will be contentious: prosecutors will push for access to her personal records, whereas defense may argue privileged communications or privacy.

Child protection & preventive failure

If CPS had prior contact with Romelus, this case will intensify scrutiny on whether protective services did enough—whether warnings were missed or interventions delayed.It underscores the challenge of balancing child rescue with parental rights and resource limitations.

Public reaction, media, and trauma

The local community is deeply shaken. Media coverage will influence public perception—potentially prejudicing a fair trial.

Surviving children will face lifelong trauma; authorities, social workers, and mental health providers must ensure their well-being and protection from secondary harm.

Broader societal questions emerge about mental health access, gun safety, and support systems for families in crisis.

What to Watch—Next Developments

Here are key developments to monitor in the coming days and weeks:

Official statements and indictments

Prosecutors or the Texas Attorney General could formally confirm the status of the missing child and expand charges.

Family or law enforcement press conferences may provide additional detail.

Discovery of the missing teen

If located alive, he could offer vital testimony. If not found, the missing child becomes a continuing investigation of utmost urgency.

Psychiatric evaluations of Romelus

A court-ordered mental health exam may determine her sanity at the time of the shootings, affecting how the case proceeds.

CPS and child welfare reports

Release (or court-ordered redacted release) of prior CPS case files may reveal missed red flags or accountability gaps.

Survivors’ testimony and protective measures

How the two living children recount events—and how their statements are handled in court—will be closely scrutinized. Ensuring their protection from intimidation or retraumatization is essential.

Court hearings and motions

Motion filings (suppression, competency, evidence admissibility) will shape what evidence the jury sees.

Pretrial hearings may raise public debate about mental health and parental rights.

A Tentative Assessment & Concluding Thoughts

The headline Mom Who Shot 4 Kids Has 5th Child Missing: Police” captures the gravity and urgency of the case. The confirmed facts—two children dead, two injured, the mother in custody, and a missing 17‑year‑old—are chilling enough. Yet much remains unknown.

Romelus’s erratic statements about demonic possession suggest a disturbed mental state, but until psychiatrists evaluate her, we cannot draw conclusions. The missing child’s fate is a haunting question mark—his location and condition may alter the entire narrative.