Topline: Brazoria County deputies say Oninda Romelus called 911 after allegedly shooting her four children.
Published: October 16, 2025 12:00 pm ET
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Oninda Romelus, mugshot (via Brazoria County Sheriff’s Department)
ANGLETON, TX — A Texas mother is facing murder charges after allegedly shooting her four children inside a vehicle, killing two and injuring two others.
Oninda Romelus, 31, of Porter, was charged with two counts of murder and two counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. She remains in Brazoria County Jail on bonds totaling $14 million, according to court records.
Deputies responded to a 911 call placed by Romelus at 4:48 a.m. October 4, according to KHOU. She asked law enforcement to meet her at the Oasis gas station on State Highway 288B in Angleton.
Upon arrival, deputies found four children with gunshot wounds inside a vehicle and began lifesaving efforts until emergency medical services arrived.
Authorities identified the victims as 13-year-old O’Karreo Covington and 3-year-old Amourra Chapell, both of whom died from their injuries. The surviving children, 9-year-old Kylee Romelius and 8-year-old Traviel Downer, were flown to Memorial Hermann Hospital and have been released into foster care, according to the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services.
Investigators believe the shooting occurred inside the vehicle before Romelus drove to the gas station. During questioning, Romelus made incoherent statements and told deputies she “called the devil,” not 911, according to court documents obtained by KPRC. She also reportedly said her children “were with the devil” and instructed deputies to “kill them all.”
Romelus’s mental state at the time of the shooting is under review. Authorities have not released any formal diagnosis, but court records and law enforcement statements suggest she was not coherent during interviews.
A search warrant executed at Romelus’s home in Porter revealed evidence of a separate crime. According to ABC13, investigators found dozens of Social Security cards, identification documents, laptops, and materials consistent with identity theft and fraud.
The search warrant was initially issued to locate a possible fifth child, but Brazoria County officials later confirmed Romelus had only four children.
The discovery of fraudulent documents has prompted a broader investigation into Romelus’s activities prior to the shooting. Law enforcement officials have not yet filed additional charges related to the alleged identity theft.
Romelus appeared on the reality television show “Paternity Court” nearly 12 years ago. She sought to determine the father of O’Karreo Covington, the oldest victim in the shooting. The episode aired nationally and featured Romelus in a paternity dispute with two men. A DNA test revealed neither man was Covington’s biological father.
Child Protective Services confirmed that Romelus has a history with the agency, though specific details of prior investigations have not been disclosed.
Records from the Fayette County Sheriff’s Office in Georgia show Romelus was arrested in April 2022 on charges of misdemeanor DUI of drugs, failure to maintain lane, and possession of marijuana under one ounce.
Sheriff Bo Stallman described the case as “unthinkable” and said deputies were deeply affected by the scene. He credited the quick actions of responding officers with saving at least one child’s life.
The Brazoria County District Attorney’s Office is expected to pursue additional charges pending further investigation. No court date has been announced, and it is unclear whether Romelus has retained legal counsel.
The case remains active, and authorities are asking anyone with information to contact the Brazoria County Sheriff’s Office.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
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Texas Mother Who Appeared on ‘Paternity Court’ Charged With Killing Two of Her Children
Brazoria County deputies say Oninda Romelus called 911 after allegedly shooting her four children.
By Kate Byrd
Published: October 16, 2025 12:00 pm ET
Oninda Romelus, mugshot (via Brazoria County Sheriff’s Department)
ANGLETON, TX — A Texas mother is facing murder charges after allegedly shooting her four children inside a vehicle, killing two and injuring two others.
Oninda Romelus, 31, of Porter, was charged with two counts of murder and two counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. She remains in Brazoria County Jail on bonds totaling $14 million, according to court records.
Deputies responded to a 911 call placed by Romelus at 4:48 a.m. October 4, according to KHOU. She asked law enforcement to meet her at the Oasis gas station on State Highway 288B in Angleton.
Upon arrival, deputies found four children with gunshot wounds inside a vehicle and began lifesaving efforts until emergency medical services arrived.
Authorities identified the victims as 13-year-old O’Karreo Covington and 3-year-old Amourra Chapell, both of whom died from their injuries. The surviving children, 9-year-old Kylee Romelius and 8-year-old Traviel Downer, were flown to Memorial Hermann Hospital and have been released into foster care, according to the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services.
Investigators believe the shooting occurred inside the vehicle before Romelus drove to the gas station. During questioning, Romelus made incoherent statements and told deputies she “called the devil,” not 911, according to court documents obtained by KPRC. She also reportedly said her children “were with the devil” and instructed deputies to “kill them all.”
Romelus’s mental state at the time of the shooting is under review. Authorities have not released any formal diagnosis, but court records and law enforcement statements suggest she was not coherent during interviews.
A search warrant executed at Romelus’s home in Porter revealed evidence of a separate crime. According to ABC13, investigators found dozens of Social Security cards, identification documents, laptops, and materials consistent with identity theft and fraud.
The search warrant was initially issued to locate a possible fifth child, but Brazoria County officials later confirmed Romelus had only four children.
The discovery of fraudulent documents has prompted a broader investigation into Romelus’s activities prior to the shooting. Law enforcement officials have not yet filed additional charges related to the alleged identity theft.
Romelus appeared on the reality television show “Paternity Court” nearly 12 years ago. She sought to determine the father of O’Karreo Covington, the oldest victim in the shooting. The episode aired nationally and featured Romelus in a paternity dispute with two men. A DNA test revealed neither man was Covington’s biological father.
Child Protective Services confirmed that Romelus has a history with the agency, though specific details of prior investigations have not been disclosed.
Records from the Fayette County Sheriff’s Office in Georgia show Romelus was arrested in April 2022 on charges of misdemeanor DUI of drugs, failure to maintain lane, and possession of marijuana under one ounce.
Sheriff Bo Stallman described the case as “unthinkable” and said deputies were deeply affected by the scene. He credited the quick actions of responding officers with saving at least one child’s life.
The Brazoria County District Attorney’s Office is expected to pursue additional charges pending further investigation. No court date has been announced, and it is unclear whether Romelus has retained legal counsel.
The case remains active, and authorities are asking anyone with information to contact the Brazoria County Sheriff’s Office.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor's Note: ThePo makes every effort to accurately transcribe the contents of affidavits of probable cause contained in criminal complaints. Often, the complaints themselves are copies of copies of faxed copies, and are difficult to read. To confirm the accuracy of our transcription, contact the Magisterial District Court listed above and request a copy of the criminal complaint. It's a public record to which you are entitled.
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Editor Picks
Latest Articles
Texas Mother Who Appeared on ‘Paternity Court’ Charged With Killing Two of Her Children
Brazoria County deputies say Oninda Romelus called 911 after allegedly shooting her four children.
By Kate Byrd
Published: October 16, 2025 12:00 pm ET
Oninda Romelus, mugshot (via Brazoria County Sheriff’s Department)
ANGLETON, TX — A Texas mother is facing murder charges after allegedly shooting her four children inside a vehicle, killing two and injuring two others.
Oninda Romelus, 31, of Porter, was charged with two counts of murder and two counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. She remains in Brazoria County Jail on bonds totaling $14 million, according to court records.
Deputies responded to a 911 call placed by Romelus at 4:48 a.m. October 4, according to KHOU. She asked law enforcement to meet her at the Oasis gas station on State Highway 288B in Angleton.
Upon arrival, deputies found four children with gunshot wounds inside a vehicle and began lifesaving efforts until emergency medical services arrived.
Authorities identified the victims as 13-year-old O’Karreo Covington and 3-year-old Amourra Chapell, both of whom died from their injuries. The surviving children, 9-year-old Kylee Romelius and 8-year-old Traviel Downer, were flown to Memorial Hermann Hospital and have been released into foster care, according to the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services.
Investigators believe the shooting occurred inside the vehicle before Romelus drove to the gas station. During questioning, Romelus made incoherent statements and told deputies she “called the devil,” not 911, according to court documents obtained by KPRC. She also reportedly said her children “were with the devil” and instructed deputies to “kill them all.”
Romelus’s mental state at the time of the shooting is under review. Authorities have not released any formal diagnosis, but court records and law enforcement statements suggest she was not coherent during interviews.
A search warrant executed at Romelus’s home in Porter revealed evidence of a separate crime. According to ABC13, investigators found dozens of Social Security cards, identification documents, laptops, and materials consistent with identity theft and fraud.
The search warrant was initially issued to locate a possible fifth child, but Brazoria County officials later confirmed Romelus had only four children.
The discovery of fraudulent documents has prompted a broader investigation into Romelus’s activities prior to the shooting. Law enforcement officials have not yet filed additional charges related to the alleged identity theft.
Romelus appeared on the reality television show “Paternity Court” nearly 12 years ago. She sought to determine the father of O’Karreo Covington, the oldest victim in the shooting. The episode aired nationally and featured Romelus in a paternity dispute with two men. A DNA test revealed neither man was Covington’s biological father.
Child Protective Services confirmed that Romelus has a history with the agency, though specific details of prior investigations have not been disclosed.
Records from the Fayette County Sheriff’s Office in Georgia show Romelus was arrested in April 2022 on charges of misdemeanor DUI of drugs, failure to maintain lane, and possession of marijuana under one ounce.
Sheriff Bo Stallman described the case as “unthinkable” and said deputies were deeply affected by the scene. He credited the quick actions of responding officers with saving at least one child’s life.
The Brazoria County District Attorney’s Office is expected to pursue additional charges pending further investigation. No court date has been announced, and it is unclear whether Romelus has retained legal counsel.
The case remains active, and authorities are asking anyone with information to contact the Brazoria County Sheriff’s Office.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor's Note: ThePo makes every effort to accurately transcribe the contents of affidavits of probable cause contained in criminal complaints. Often, the complaints themselves are copies of copies of faxed copies, and are difficult to read. To confirm the accuracy of our transcription, contact the Magisterial District Court listed above and request a copy of the criminal complaint. It's a public record to which you are entitled.
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