Texas Mother Charged After Disabled Woman Found in Dog Kennel
A Texas adoptive mother is facing felony charges following an incident on November 22, where a woman with intellectual disabilities was discovered locked inside a dog kennel.
Candace “Candy” Thompson, 60, has been charged with assault against a disabled person and aggravated kidnapping. Initially arrested on November 22 and released on bond, she was rearrested on November 24 due to the aggravated kidnapping charge.
A concerned neighbor, Justin Anderson, recorded a video of the situation. He saw a mentally ill woman attempting to escape from the kennel and contacted the authorities. In the video, Anderson can be heard asking the woman if she was okay, as she pleaded for help.
When Thompson arrived, Anderson confronted her about why she would confine a “special needs child” in such a way, citing he had heard the young woman scream for assistance. Another video captured him reassuring the beleaguered woman, encouraging her to “just breathe” and informing her that help was on the way.
Anderson recounted, “I heard something that just didn’t sound right.” Reports suggest the woman had been placed in the kennel on November 22 and shouted that she felt scared and needed to go to the bathroom. Allegedly, he heard her cries for help.
Anson Police Chief Daniel Graziose confirmed in a statement that officers found the 22-year-old woman trapped in a backyard. When questioned, Thompson claimed the young woman was “urinating everywhere and destroying houses.” Prior to her husband’s passing in 2020, he was a police chief, and they had raised over 50 children together. At the time of the incident, two other adult foster children were present in the home.
Chief Graziose emphasized the seriousness of the case, stating, “The City of Anson takes this incident very seriously and is committed to protecting our citizens, especially our most vulnerable.” Thompson is currently detained at the Jones County Jail.
Authorities continue to manage the situation in coordination with Adult Protective Services, ensuring the well-being of the victim, who has since been moved to a safer environment.
