A horrifying tragedy unfolded early Saturday morning as Oninda Romelus, a 31-year-old mother from Porter, Texas, allegedlykills two of her four children before calmly stopping at a local gas station and filling up her vehicle.
The brutal case has sent shockwaves through Brazoria County and sparked intense outrage across social media.
Mom Shoots Two of Her Four Kids, Then Fills Gas Without Alarm
According to Brazoria County Sheriff’s Office reports, Romelus called 911 herself and instructed police to meet her at a gas station in Angleton around 4:45 a.m.
When deputies arrived, they found Romelus sitting in her white sedan with the engine running and doors wide open.
Inside and around the vehicle were her four children, aged 3, 8, 9, and 13.
Tragically, mother killed two of the children, the youngest and the oldest, were found lifeless.
The other two siblings survived but were rushed by air ambulance to Memorial Hermann Hospital Downtown for emergency medical care.
Surveillance footage obtained from the gas station reveals the chilling scene.
Romelus is seen casually pumping $56 worth of fuel into the car, all while talking on her phone, completely unfazed by the carnage inside her vehicle.
Authorities describe the scene as one of the most disturbing incidents in recent memory.
One deputy on site reported a child’s body half-hanging out of the car’s front passenger door, with legs still inside and torso on the ground.
Stunning Confession: “Instead of Them Doing It to Me, I’m Gonna Do It to Them”
Romelus appeared paranoid and uneasy after Miranda rights, initially refusing to discuss what happened, authorities said.
But she later made a chilling confession, telling police: “Instead of them doing it to me, I’m gonna do it to them.”
When a deputy pressed for clarification, she bluntly stated: “Kill them all.”
Romelus also claimed that instead of calling 911 about her children, she had actually called the “devil.”
She insisted that her children were now “with the devil” and “dead to her.”
Her words sparked fierce online debate; some blame mental illness or possession, others call her monstrous and evil.
The haunting remark, “Cause you can’t take me without me taking you,” only amplifies the controversy surrounding this gut-wrenching crime.
Legal Charges and Bail Set at $14 Million
Authorities immediately arrested Romelus; she faces two murder counts and two aggravated assault charges.
A judge has set her bail at an extraordinarily high amount of $14 million, signaling the gravity of the charges and the public’s outrage.
CPS confirmed Romelus had prior contact; details remain confidential until official Child Fatality Report releases.
Public Outcry and Social Media Storm
The case dominates headlines and social media, reigniting debates on mental health, gun control, and child protection.
Many users have expressed anger and disbelief that such a tragedy could unfold unchecked.
Others criticize systemic failures and question why authorities and social services missed or ignored warning signs about Romelus.
What Went Wrong? Mental Health or Malice?
Experts caution that interpreting Romelus’ actions requires care.
The confession arguably hints at profound psychological distress or disorders.
However, the calculated nature the mother of the deceased children stopping for gas and calling 911 suggest a disturbing level of premeditation.
This raises uncomfortable questions about the adequacy of mental health interventions and monitoring for at-risk parents in the US.
How many more children might suffer if systems continue to fall short?
