Malnourished boy, 5, found in closet of Texas home

HOUSTON — A Texas couple was arrested and charged with keeping a 5-year-old malnourished boy inside the stairway closet of their home.

Investigators said the child was found in his diaper in the small closet by his 16-year-old stepbrother Thursday night. The teen confronted his stepfather, Bradley Bleimeyer, and the two got into a fist fight.

By the time police arrived to the Spring, Texas, home, they said the victim's stepmother, Tammi Bleimeyer, and biological father took off with the little boy.

On Friday, deputies used cellphone data to track down the couple at a motel in Humble, about 13 miles away. The appearance of the 5-year-old victim caused deputies to immediately summon Emergency Service personnel and he was transported to a hospital, deputies said.

Assistant Chief Mark Herman said in his 28-year career he has never seen anything like this.

"He was severely under nourished, bones sticking out. He had bumps, bruises. His skin was coming off on his back. It's a horrific, horrific situation," he said.

Deputies immediately arrested both Bradley Bleimeyer and Tammi Bleimeyer at the motel. Both were charged with felony child endangerment, and booked into the Harris County Jail. The father is in jail with no bond, and the victim's stepmother's bond was set at $2,000. She has been released.

The victim was in the hospital in stable condition Monday and expected to remain in the hospital for weeks. He is in the custody of Children's Protective Services.

Tammi Bleimeyer was seen picking up her children from their elementary school Monday. She told KHOU-TV that none of the story is true and sped off.

However, one of the family's neighbors said investigators have been at the couple's home in the past.

"It won't be the first time police have been out or CPS has been out," said Skip Warren.

Authorities are looking for the boy's stepbrothers and sisters. There are six of them ranging in age from 1 to 16. Authorities want to make sure they are OK.