Three arrested in connection with two-year-old girl bound in duct tape found by maintenance workers

Written by Sarah Akey

HOUSTON, TX - On November 28, 2023, a two-year-old girl was found by maintenance workers duct taped to the floor of a residence in Houston, Texas. According to ABC13 News, three people are now facing charges after the workers found the girl in an apartment.

Court records show that Toniesha Deshae Perkins, Mya Jhari Breaux-McGruder, and Kenry Joseph Flukers were all charged with unlawful restraint and injury to a child by omission. The three were charged on January 8, 2024.

Perkins is the cousin of the girl and had full custody of her at the time, records show. 

The girl was duct taped by her ankles and covered with a blanket when maintenance workers arrived at the apartment to repair a dishwasher. Upon the discovery, the maintenance workers called the police, after taking photo and video of the girl before leaving.

There were reportedly five other children inside the home. While the two-year-old showed signs of trauma and was underweight, the other five children appeared to be healthy.

The Daily Caller reported that the girl, who is non-verbal, was about half the weight of an average one-year-old. Additionally, it is reported that she was diagnosed with a brain bleed, anemia, malnourishment, and acute kidney injury. Doctors reportedly believe the kidney injury and anemia are due to dehydration. 

During the investigation, two of the children, six-year-old twins belonging to Perkins and Flukers (Perkins' boyfriend), allegedly told police that they witnessed their parents bind the girl and she would "a whooping" if she took off the tape. However, one of the children was allegedly told by Perkins to tell investigators that the other children were the ones who duct taped the young girl. 

One of the twins also reportedly said the toddler “can’t have none of our food because she will waste over the food and if she wastes over it, she can’t have no more food.”

Read more at: https://www.thestate.com/news/nation-world/national/article284180968.html#storylink=cpy

An interview with Flukers revealed that the child was taped, by Perkins, to prevent her from accessing the fridge, pantry, and trash because the child would not eat what she was given.  

Perkins, Breaux-McGruder, and Flukers are all facing nearly a combined half a million dollars in bonds based on their charges and remain in custody.