Jan. 8, 2008, 6:28PM

By MIKE GLENN
Copyright 2008 Houston Chronicle

An arrest warrant has been issued for a Harris County woman accused of leaving eight children alone in a roach-infested home last week while she traveled to Africa to marry a man she met on the Internet, authorities said Monday.

Shanell Monique Mosley, 33, was charged Friday with child endangerment and child abandonment.

When she left for Nigeria on Dec. 31, Mosley told her 15-year-old daughter that she would return in a month to the home in the 11000 block of Barker Grove Lane, child welfare officials said.

"We still haven't heard from the mother," said Estella Olguin, with Child Protective Services.

Officials on Monday said they still know very little about Mosley or her home situation.

The family is from New Orleans, but came to Texas — originally Port Arthur — after Hurricane Katrina.

Relying mostly on information they learned from her children, CPS officials believe Mosley was unemployed.

"We don't know how she was able to make payments on the home or if she has assistance," Olguin said.

Mosley's sister was supposed to have arrived in Houston from New Orleans to care for the children during her absence but officials said that never happened.

"We did talk to the (children's) aunt. She just didn't have the money to come here," Olguin said.

That left the children, including a 1-year-old boy, in the care of the quickly overwhelmed 15-year-old, officials said.

"She was really the one who took on the parent role," Olguin said.

Mosley's relatives in Louisiana told investigators they have yet to talk to her, Olguin said.

"They haven't heard from her nor do they have any contact information about how to get in touch with her," she said.

In addition to her own five siblings, the teen was caring for a neighbor's 3-year-old boy and 4-year-old girl.

The neighbor knew Mosley had traveled to Africa, and even drove her to the airport, officials said.

He also remains under investigation as deputies and CPS staffers determine if he was aware of the squalid conditions inside the house.

Authorities learned of the children's plight after the 15-year-old crashed the family's van into the garage on Dec. 31.

"She was afraid what her Mom might do when she returned," Olguin said. "She was thinking of running away."

The teen later told a youth advocate, who convinced her to stay, then notified authorities about the situation in the home.

Harris County sheriff's deputies found roaches swarming over the walls and the furniture when they made a welfare check on Jan. 2.

Trash and other debris lay scattered throughout the home that also lacked a working telephone, according to the criminal complaint filed against Mosley.

Her "closet and dresser were cleared of every single item as if she had no intent to return," the criminal complaint said.

Mosley left a Lone Star food card for the children, but officials said it couldn't be redeemed because it had no monetary balance.

The children, including those of the neighbor, have been placed in foster homes. A custody hearing has been set for Jan. 16, officials said.

"Right now, we're going to ask for the children to remain in our custody," Olguin, said. "If any relatives come forward, we would have to make sure about their background."

mike.glenn@chron.com

Emphasis added by H4K Editor