Inset: Rachel Nicole Blaylock (Baytown Police). Background: Home in Baytown, Texas, where Blaylock allegedly neglected her 11-year-old son with autism (Google Maps).
In Texas, a mother is now facing criminal charges after authorities discovered her 11-year-old son, who has autism and is nonverbal, severely malnourished at just 46 pounds. The child was found with feces embedded under his fingernails, according to police reports.
Rachel Nicole Blaylock, 40, has been charged with causing injury to a child. The incident came to light on May 13 when law enforcement was dispatched for an “urgent welfare check” at a residence on Homan Street in Baytown, near Houston. Blaylock answered the door and permitted the officer to enter the premises.
Upon entry, the officer was overwhelmed by an infestation of flies and a strong odor of feces that almost made her vomit, as noted in the affidavit.
Blaylock led the officer to her son’s room, explaining that she suspected he had autism, despite never having received a formal diagnosis. She admitted that the boy avoided using the toilet, opting instead to relieve himself in his room, where he would then throw feces around. Additionally, the child refused to wear a diaper, leaving the room in a state of disarray with fecal matter scattered throughout. The complaint highlighted that his fingernails were encrusted with dried feces.
The officer observed that the boy’s bedroom was secured with a screen door locked from the outside, effectively preventing him from leaving independently. Blaylock claimed the screen door allowed her to monitor him. Despite a previous recommendation from a Child Protective Services investigator to seek hospital treatment for her malnourished son, Blaylock declined, saying he weighed merely 46 pounds.
Blaylock reportedly expressed her frustration, saying, “I can’t just drop everything I’m f—ing doing and take him to the hospital so a quack a— doctor can say ‘ohh I don’t know what’s wrong with him so we can see another one.’”
Cops spoke with Blaylock’s mother, who lived on the property. She was not impressed with her daughter’s parenting skills.
“She is not a good mom,” her mother allegedly said.
The suspect would often tell her son to “shut up” and made him sleep in a room with only a mattress, her mother said, according to the complaint. Blaylock and her boyfriend also allegedly used the $200 she received monthly in food stamps for themselves.
Paramedics transported the boy to a hospital where he was diagnosed with severe autism. He also had “extensive dental decay” due to neglect, doctors said. There was also “concern for possible sexual abuse.”
Police arrested Blaylock on Oct. 3 and took her to the Harris County Jail where she has since bonded out. Her next court date is scheduled for Nov. 18.
