Man accused of choking mother of his kids to death to be charged with murder, police say

HOUSTON — A man accused of choking the mother of his two children to death will be charged with murder, according to HPD Homicide.

Investigators said the kids are with Child Protective Services after their mother died at the hands of her common-law husband.

It happened Tuesday night at the Sonesta Extended Stay Suites on Bay Area Boulevard in southeast Houston.

Police said it all started as an argument between the couple just two hours before the mom was killed. The young mom and dad were arguing over child custody when officers were called out to the area around 8:30 p.m.

After they thought everything was resolved, police left. However, they were called back around 10:30 p.m. and found the woman had been choked out. She later died at the hospital.

Police said the father claimed he was trying to stop her from harming one of their children.

“He thought she was choking the baby or the child,” HPD Lt. Wilkens said. “Not sure which one yet. He got behind her to put her in a chokehold to stop her. She went unconscious and that’s when he called us.”

CPS has the 1- and 3-year-old kids in their care as they look for possible family members in the Houston area to take care of them.

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Domestic and family violence cases in the Houston area have increased at an alarming rate. Victims often suffer in silence because they feel scared, helpless or ashamed. 

If you or someone you know is a victim of domestic violence, here are some discreet ways to reach out for help.

The Houston Area Women’s Center has a 24-hour hotline for victims of domestic violence at 713-528-2121 or 1-800-256-0551.

The Family Time Crisis Center can also be reached 24 hours a day at 281-446-2615.

The National Domestic Violence Hotline is 1-800-799-SAFE (7233).

Crisis Text Line: Text START to 88788.