Boy chained in backyard, girl tied to door among eight kids rescued from Texas home

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Austin: A late-night phone call to police about a crying child led to the discovery of eight children unsupervised at a San Antonio home, including a two-year-old boy chained in the backyard and a three-year-old girl tied to a door with a dog leash, authorities have said.

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Porucha Phillips, 34, the mother of six children found inside, who returned after authorities arrived at the home, was charged with two felony counts. Prosecutors said officials were searching for the parents of the toddlers restrained outside, who authorities believe are siblings. "I would describe it as disgusting," said Bexar County District Attorney Nicholas LaHood. "It shocks your conscience when you think what kind of individual could treat children like this," he added.

On a dog leash
One of the toddlers found outside had a metal chain strapped to his ankle with the other end of the chain fixed to the ground, said Bexar County Sheriff's Office spokesman James Keith. "It was the same kind of setup you would use for a dog," he said.

Two of the children, including one with a broken arm, remained hospitalised more than 12 hours after deputies first arrived to the house. The other six were placed in fostercare. Officials were concerned that all the children may be malnourished, said Patrick Crimmins, a spokesman for the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services.

The five girls and three boys were between the ages of 10 months and 10 years old, Crimmins said. Phillips' bond was set at $75,000 on each charge. The father had been working and showed up after deputies arrived. The family has no prior history with Texas child welfare officials, but a home day-care may have been operating at the address. The brown townhouse had burglar bars covering the windows and posters obstructing the view inside.