I went to school with her and I think we were in the same year. She was a sweetie who loved coming to my choir class. She would get so excited she shrieked and yodeled, but we learned to sing without distraction and take it as a compliment. I hope people are still singing with her. Her aides had to work so hard to get her to run and exercise with us- those women were amazingly dedicated!
the mother herself had the sensibilities of a grade schooler. Nobody noticed at the hospital. yet, they had to hang somebody for it, so they hung the blame on the city. good chance, the mother was an "indoor" child too
@@poppiepop6774You do know biblically the saying Angel without wings is a term to describe demons? A fallen angel whose wings burned up on the fall. Etymology is dope. Yahweh is Dope!
I called CPS on a mom who lets her children run around. She lets the 7-9 year old girls around men and lets them ask the men for money which I feel puts them at risk. She would also let her 13 year old son run around gangs and drugs. I called CPS and felt like I had enough reason when I found out the boy had a gun and would go around brandishing it. CPS took my request but never acted on it and I recently found out the boy was shot and killed about a year after I made the call. I really wish CPS had a better system.
Oh my gosh this is so heartbreaking!! If you see something, say something. Better to be safe than sorry. You made the right decision to call, friend. 💛
You made the right decision to call and it is not your fault. Cps is a massive failure in the US and leaves children to die in abusive homes but removes kids from safe and clean ones that love them just to put them back with their abusive parents. One channel I watch called The Misery Machine covers majority child abuse cases resulting in death and I’d say 9/10 of them have cps files and reports already made before the childs death. They just do not care and until CPS workers can be charged for neglecting their cases and children I don’t think anything will change
They have very high requirements for being a social worker for CPS. They would probably have more employees to work in the field if it didn't require an associate degree to work for them. It's a pricey degree to get paid so low when you are finished. People who want to help children end up going into a career that pays better. Which usually ends up being a therapist. The whole system needs redone. There are so many things that need changed. It's just a shame that children suffer for it. Bottom line is it's the future of our world at stake
I had mild cognitive impairment for several years due to an undiagnosed internal infection, and you just can't think straight, you can't tackle complex tasks, you get overwhelmed with everything, and you can't organise your thoughts well enough to ask for help. Systemic support systems and proper welfare checks and follow-ups are so important.
What kind of infection if you don't mind me asking? I'm experiencing similar symptoms & can't seem to get anything accomplished. I used to not be like this & have thought it was a trauma response from C-PTSD, but now I'm wondering if it could be something like what you had.
Listen I’m a wreck right now I lost count how many kisses I’ve given the screen to Victoria lol. I love her so much ❤ This right here did it for me. I’m balling!
I am so glad Victoria had a second chance at life. I have a non verbal autistic son with a learning disability and the last part of your video turned me into a blubbering wreck. I sooo glad she was surrounded but such kind hearted people who helped her reach her potential. Bless her. I hope my son is surrounded by kind souls as he makes his way through life. You have got yourself a new subscriber.
Hang in there, accept all the professional help you can get, make time for yourself. If he's not on your state's autism waiver, get him on the waiting list. Brains don't fully mature until 25, for parents like us that can be as big a milestone as most parents watching theirs turn 16 or 18. 🫂
I came from a home were i was neglected and abused. I starded doing drugs at the age of 13 i am 45 today,now i have been clean for almost 3 years. It was when my Mother died that i started thinking about change my life,my Mother started giving me drugs at the age of 13. I also started terapi,the best thing i could have done. My therapist told me once that "when you know better,you do better". So, so true. I also have 3 children,and they have given me one more chance to be in their lives (i am so grateful). If anyone struggle with not knowing how to take care of their children, please please tell the "right persons"! Love from Sweden Tess Ps. Please do an update on Victorias case,if you get to know something more about her life. Ds
It looks like her foster father passed away in Feb. '24; and she's listed as his foster daughter in his obituary...so hopefully that means she's remained with that loving family just living a quiet life.
I mentor moms who's kids have been taken by CPS for a living. Although there are a few who generally just don't seem to care much about their kids, that is honestly the minority. Most of them have come from a line of generational disfuntion and trauma themselves and are just trying to survive the best they can. I personally feel they did the right thing by not prosecuting the mom and grandma. Very sad story but seems to have had a happy ending. Most likely the father had impregnated his daughter and that's why they never said who the bio dad was
Yeah the government did me pretty dirty I'm Canadian I left home at 15I'm the oldest of 5 kids with 4 different dads my mother wasn't a bad mother it's just she definitely didn't have the means to raise us I wouldn't have kept having kids if I were I ended up leaving at 15I just wasn't giving enough helpers support I was Homeless for a while couldn't couldn't finish high school had to do some not so great things to survive The teenage shelter was full so I had to stay at the shelter with grown men whom a lot just got out of prison for god knows what got pregnant at 16 with my boyfriend who Wasn't exactly a great guy But I had abandoned abandonment issues and Was also scared to raise a baby by myself I ended up having my baby Apartment But soon we kept fighting because he wanted to go and party and hang out with friends but I was stuck at home watching the baby myself Didn't wanna go get a job or anything we were on well welfare and we were suffering so of course we ended up Arguing loudly Neighbors called the police and children's aid was called They were basically taking my daughter from me I wish I could have just left and went on my own With my daughter but I had no high school education so therefore I wasn't able to get a job I have some mental disabilities not Major but it was too hard to look after a Small baby and do school at the same time There is housing available for mothers but they wouldn't give it to me they wouldn't help me The baby bonus that was $200 a month back then they wanted me to pay back out of my welfare check So with no help from my government No help from my family and no help from my daughter's I lost custody and she was adopted There is no pain like having a child ripped away My daughter is 18 now I got a chance to reunite with her Of course I know deep down she was mad at me for giving her up But it wasn't willingly Had I had any help at all I never would have gave her up I just wish I had a chance to get on my ' and get my life together a little bit Never really had a chance Anyways I thank you For doing that kind of thing you do for mothers and fathers The pain you feel when you know you cannot provide For yourself or your child it's just horrible I was self destructive for a long time To deal with the heartache but I knew she was in a better place Young parents sometimes need help especially when they can't get it from family or government Young parents sometimes need help especially when they can't get it from family or government agencies Any amount of help Count counts and it really matters It's good to keep families together when the parents actually care they just need a chance And yet I agree that the father was probably the Cause of the pregnancy Could be 1 reason why she had disabilities other than Sensory deprivation And strange environment Sorry for the long story
Its weird to say but i am very lucky. Even though both my parents died unexpectedly by the time i was 8, i only have good memories of them as well as 3 older brothers and an older sister who all kicked in to keep us all together. I miss my parents still even though I am 60 now, but I am so greatful that my parents instilled in my siblings postive things. They were awesome parents even though i barely remember them. I feel so bad for people like this little girl and so many others who are treated terribly and not appreciated😢
Interesting note on the only eating bread: I’m not a psychologist but I do have ARFIDS, and she might have had a contamination related phobia to things that spoil quickly, like meat, fruits, and vegetables. The fear of mold or bugs can be overwhelming and is fortified by years of actual mold and bugs in food.
I care for a profoundly autistic teenage girl who only eats bread and chocolate :D Living the dream but of course we try and introduce nutritious food for her health
As an autistic adult, stories like these where the child ends up in a very supportive atmosphere are absolutely incredible. The world underestimates disabled individuals every day. It's disheartening.
It doesn't bare thinking about does it. There are the small percentage of people that are heartless. There are those like Victorias family that truly loved her but did not have the capability to look after to the level she needed. Then I like to believe the majority of people have there heart in the right place. Like her class mates that helped her so much
I’m kind of glad not much is known about her today. She deserves a private quiet life regardless of her beginnings. I’m just glad she found so many people to love and care for her.
Hearing all the love and support she got from her fellow peers during school was SOOOO incredibly touching, I'm SO glad she didn't go through bullying like I saw so many mentaly diasbled during my time in school including myself. She really lucked out with going to a school with kids that actually have compassion and supportive.
@@DarkEntries CPS and the health department are 2 different entities. Child or no child the rats should have been reported to the governmental section that deals with health and safety. If they had been Victoria might have been noticed during their investigation and by agents that might have been taken more seriously by CPS than civilians.
It's weird thing , in Darwin NT Oz a while back at a friends house in a nice suburb . . all houses fairly new due to severe cyclones regular wiping old one away . . was there on dusk one time in the fellows backyard & saw an amazing sight . . the tops of the fences seen to the rear started this seemingly endless conga line of big rats rushing from somewhere they hung out during the day to somewhere they hung out at night , literally hundreds
The other children just melt my heart. They wanted to help her, not bully her. Children are the most beautiful gift to all of us. They are so innocent and loving. It's the adults who screw them up. Shame on those.
Exactly!! Hearing how caring, understanding, and helpful Victoria’s peers were with her made my heart swell. Hearing how she was given the title of honorary prom queen in her sophomore year brought a tear to my eye. I hope nothing but the best for her and her loved ones for the rest of their time on this earth
I worked as a nurse and had a patient in her 50s. She had the mental age of an 8 year old. She wanted coloring books dolls and of all things cigarettes. She had a daughter about 36 who was very beautiful and clearly normal. We later learned this lady was raised much like Victoria allowed to marry at about 13 to a 40 plus man who was by this time dead. She really acted about 4 running up the halls laughing and crawling under orhers beds. Constantly begged for cigarettes. Always called me Sue though repeatedly told my actual name. I could not believe how someone and some state allowed this lady to marry at age 13 and have children with a mentality like this
Sad thing is that's still legal in a lot of states with parental consent. It was recently proposed that it be made no longer legal but some Republican lawmakers pitched a fit and killed the legislation.
In many places as long as the parents consent it's ok. And the Conservatives who run most states don't care as long as ppl don't get on social services. Its why they're lowering age of consent And there is always some pervert with the need to be with teen or preteen kids
Nobody should get married at 13, but forbidding adults with mental health issues of any kind to have children never ends well. Too many poor people and people of colour have been involuntarily sterilised because someone thought they weren't mentally competent when what they actually were was impovereished or unwilling to obey authorities who weren't looking out for them.
19:40 her able bodied peers sound like very empathetic young ladies, and it appears they contributed greatly towards Victoria's quality of life. They are real heros.
I am crying because of the sheer amount of people that came together to take care of this angel. Even the other children, who are often times so cruel because they don't know better, but they took care of her.
I was sent to that children’s home at the age of 9 as well. Not a good place for kids. I was severely beaten and SA as a child that’s how I ended up there. I was taken away from abusive family. I was there in 87’.
The abuse of children in Texas is heartbreaking. I lived in Austin then, had walked past that house a few times. I thought it was abandoned but the Health Department should have it condemned. The land that house sat on was worth a fortune. When this case broke, I wasn’t surprised at all the handling of it. Due to issues going on in my brother-in-law’s family, we had contacted that department several times. Other family members from Michigan and Ohio had visited their house and called me to help get a report filed. I went over there. It was 110 degrees. No air-conditioning and no fans. The baby was in an old bassinet on the floor. The toddlers were in an old playpen. My own toddler was on my hip and he started crying as soon as we walked through the door. I had to put him on the dirty floor (at least he had sandals on) and ran to the bassinet. Oh my. Changed the baby and used almost whole package of baby wipes. Cool washcloths to cool him down. I just wanted to take all three of them to my home immediately. I have never forgotten the way the baby was shaking (much later I finally understood both my husband’s brother and wife were cocaine users and that poor little boy was still withdrawing from drugs.) All three children were born in that falling down house and she received almost no prenatal care. She is a doctor’s daughter! This entry could turn into a thesis on Texas, the so called Child Protective Services. We stayed there until the mom finally came home. I emptied my son’s diaper bag on those poor babies and tried to fix them all lunch. Long story short: We finally got CPS out there. Because they were upper-middle class white people (father an attorney for the State of Texas as the time: Late ‘80s to early 90s, he knew his way through the system. They had to attend parenting classes. I (the wife’s sister-in-law and I) tried hard to be there for those three adorable red-haired little ones. The abuse continued only eventually from a big McMansion in Buda. As adults, all three children have serious issues but work hard on them. Often they tell us we were their real parents because we looked after them always and tried hard with their parents. Only one child has anything to do with their parents. The other two moved far away and cut off contact. It’s a situation that split our family and CPS was almost no help.
I used to work with students like Victoria! I found it to be the most rewarding work. I unfortunately had to stop due to health issues. I miss my kiddos and stories make me so happy to see
I feel for her. When people get too much for me; I take solace in the company of dogs, chickens, horses, etc. I doubt this is uncommon. I'm so glad they got her a foster home that was understanding. So very many things to catch up on.
Hands down the most shocking part of this story for me, was that the kids in her schools actually supported and cared for her. Kids are so profoundly cruel and antagonizing. I am curious how the community managed to organize the school kids to be nice to her. Thinking about all the bullying that happens today, it makes me wonder if it's possible to apply the same methods to schools nationwide. Seriously, this widespread kindness is so shocking to me.
I feel that too. Most of my life Ive been treated far from nicely from some of my classmates up until high school, but the people I’ve met with disabilities or mental states worse than anyone else were treated poorly. Watching the people around you slowly deteriorate and detach from a place they’re supposed to be able to make connections in their younger years and learn, its disheartening and has drastically changed my opinion on the people Ive grown up and live around. Kids are cruel
I had not heard of Victoria- thank you Brooke, for shedding light on her story. Victoria's mother indeed sounds like a disabled person, however the fact that she worked in a diner, tells me she saw how cleanliness is followed as well as how other children are treated. I would like to know more about Dian's mother who lived there as well- how did she deal with and treat Diana... Genie's background was filled with the most despicable behaviour from the father, at least Victoria did not receive the abuse Genie did. I hope Victoria is doing well. I salute the citizens that reported, as well as her incredible foster parents! There are good people and there is hope out there. As always, your caring and heartfelt reporting is greatly appreciated. I am proud to be a subscriber of yours.
@@11Renee11 Thanks again, I just read the article a minute ago. I was interested because my brother in law is severely mentally disabled, schizophrenia as well as other mental disabilities. He is now 60 years old and cannot take care of himself and certainly not work. He has moments of lucidity when he can communicate a few words that make sense. He lives with my sister in law and her wife. Medication doesn't help him much at all and my sister in law has to keep a close eye on him in general. From the article it mentioned Edna was having early onset dementia, although to me the state of the house etc was happening before that- looking at the extent of neglect. It seems to me that both women had mental disabilities left untreated and no one knew or cared for any of them. Heart breaking and tragic.
i think that if you have two adults living in conditions like that, they probably aren't fit to be tried. it seems like they were both mentally ill or something along those lines. i know the authorities had dropped the ball on the investigation into victoria's situation, but i would like to think that they were able to make the right choices going forward. it sounds like victoria ended up in a good environment where she could make progress and grow and be safe in new places along her journey - like going to mainstream schools and to camps with the right support. it seems like SO many of these extreme neglect cases end up with the children being in foster homes where they continue to be abused or exploited, so honestly it seems like everything up until the point where we don't have more info about her. like you said, her family did love her and it just doesn't seem like it would have done anyone any good to have sent them to jail - they chose to help rehabiliitate her mother and allow her to learn and change. i think that is wonderful.
My mother and her 5 siblings were ab^sed in foster care (after their mom d1ed), in unspeakably horrific ways…. and it isn’t dealt with like regular parent/child ab^se…. They thought it was too hard to find other people to take all 6 of them, and purposefully turned a blind eye to all the worst types of ab^se your wildest imagination could muster… times six, for 10+ years 😢
I think a lot of people are misinformed about what CPS is for. They are there to insure that children are safe and healthy in their environments. It’s not about breaking apart families and throwing parents in jail. The main goal of foster care is to provide the structure and training needed to the parents to be able to get their children back. Diana was never able to provide a healthy and safe environment but it’s not out of malice or indifference. She was mentally disabled and was unable to create a better life for herself or her daughter on her own. There was no reason to put her in jail because she was not able to be seen as competent in court.
I lived in Austin from 1979-1981 I can attest to the fact that the Child Protective services was a hot mess. I reported a deaf girl who was not properly supervised.she was known to walk in front of cars and when I found the apart en she was living alone with her father, I got her case worker’s number. I told her about the filth and lack of food in the kitchen. They had no furniture. She has been talked iut if a foster hime and the rep acted annoyed that I called to report her. The caseworker admitted she hadn’t seen this child in years and even asked me when I thought it was out of line to not have furniture. I later moved out of the area and always wondered if the little girl was OK.
I did fieldwork at The Rosedale School when I was in college for Human Services/Therapeutic Recreation in 2004-2008. They had the best programs for people with pervasive intellectual disabilities and the staff with whom I worked with were amazing. The students taught me that anything is possible with determination if given the right support. I learned so much from them.
She was clearly autistic that went untreated and severely understimulated. The mother was possibly as well, and I wonder if it was grandpa that got the mother pregnant since she was such a recluse. Autistic girls were often overlooked and misdiagnosed back then.
As soon as I heard CPS never made any follow ups after the notice I just knew it would be a white family. Here in Canada in the 1950s they stole indigenous kids from loving families and put them into white homes. Many had decent upbringing but MANY were abused by the "safe" families they were placed in.
I was in high school in Austin when this happened. I remember feeling so awful for the whole family. My mother and father both volunteered in the community so, I’d heard of even worse situations with children. This story was so nuanced. There was no clear bad guy but circumstance. None of the women living in that house had been taught how to live well, not one. I fear the father may have been abusing his daughter though, as that seemed to be the only man she had ever spent time with in private. Who knows, there were far too many unsolved rapes back then and girls knew to only walk in packs. These women didn’t seem to have been taught how to care for themselves so, it’s likely if she was assaulted she wouldn’t have known to report it. Texas is full of odd run down houses with lights streaming through layers of old newspaper. It’s a shame though that the neighbors didn’t investigate a bit more. We had neighbors that were hoarders with a 2 year old. They were reported and left so quickly after, they left their dog. Charlie was the best dog a kid could have. We took him in and rarely spoke about the empty house next door with piles of trash to the ceilings. So much happens behind closed doors. That’s why it’s good to have good people sitting on porches, watching fr signs of trouble.
I grew up having been woken up many nights with rats biting me, it’s amazing I survived but growing up knowing what I didn’t want helped me live the life I did want!
Hi. I’m from Norway and I have heard about this case before. But I must say that your delivery on it is very much more detailed. Great work.🙌🏼👍🏼 Wish I knew more about how she is doing today or the rest of her story though. 🌻
This is the first time I have listened to your channel. What an incredible case. I've never heard of it before. It almost sounds far to incredible too be true.
as an autistic person assigned female at birth, hearing the description of her toe walking and flapping her hands and avoiding eye contact and then hearing it followed up with the professionals saying she didn't show signs of autism was so frustrating -- i grew up neglected as well and did much of the same things, i see myself in her and it is SO frustrating to see how all the signs are there and yet...
The video talked about Victoria in a very caring and gentle way and used her name throughout. Rat girl was how she was referred to in the news headlines
I like the way you pronounced Blanco. I’m from Texas and I appreciate that. You also told her story with such care. I look forward to watching more of your stuff❤
They didn't abuse her? I beg to differ. Keeping her in a rat infested stink hole in dirty clothes, no light, no communication or food is abuse where I come from. She knew enough to take herself to the hospital to have Victoria. She knew enough to go to work. So she must have kept up her hygiene. They were lazy. They couldn't be bothered with Victoria after her granddad passed and I am disgusted. I'm disgusted with them. I'm disgusted with the neighbours and I am disgusted with social services.
They didn't have the mental capacity to know any better, the grandmother had dementia and her mother had a learning disability, What part of the story didn't you understand??
@@jeanettehinds4253 for a place that employs people with intellectual disabilities… Doesn’t mean she could drive to the hospital while having painful contractions
I used to think that but when each caseworker has like 400 kids to look after, people leave CPS in droves all the time, THEE worst systems you have seen (computers from 70s & 80s), supposedly Christian voters & politicians who give 0 priority to budget adequately for needy kids, few foster & adoptive parents willing, the need to swap expert psychs & social workers with clueless ppl who many times don't care about kids at all, the wonder is that MORE paperwork isn't lost. I'm a volunteer & deal with these ppl closely & it's bigger than you think.
@@bellamijaymes2153 Even though this is logical and would be an amazing answer to why this happens, this is currently still an excuse being used in cases like this & worse where the child is somehow in worse conditions or has passed away due to the conditions or experiences that they had to live though. It's almost 2025 and "lost paperwork" sounds like ancient history that should never be repeated due to being so overwhelmingly aware of it's value, it's a childs life at the end of the day and they allow for the loss of thousands of childrens rights and lives like they never had a paper trail and as if they never existed.
She is a beautiful girl. Thank you so much to the foster parents. She had such a big smile, from all the help she had and all the lovely people in her life❤ I hope she is still happy and safe❤
The way you covered this individual's story and very respectful, thank you Also your voice reminds me of this audio book I could borrow from my library. Its such a natural story telling/narrating voice! C:
Man, those CPS workers were really great people. When I was taken into foster care, I was made to feel that my parents were monsters and I was a monster by association. My foster mom was sweet, but the case workers were the real monsters. They literally threatened to put me in a home where they said I’d probably be SA’d. Why did they say that? Because I started crying when they berated me.
thank you for telling me about yet another story i've never heard of. i'm also an austin native! (granted I was 3 years old at the time all of this went down LOL)
What I don't understand is how this happened as recently as it did. And Victoria wasn't born at home with nobody knowing of her existence; she had birth and early doctor records. Also it's not like her mother became untraceable as if she had moved away; she had a job right there in the town! I thought there was a system in place to make sure children begin kindergarten at age 5, or for the parents to show that they were prepared to begin certified homeschooling.
@@Crashy_1989 I don't know where I got that impression but I could SWEAR there was such a thing -maybe it was Iowa where I grew up (world-renowned for education back then). Mind you I was born in '73 and they were doing routine stuff like door-to-door blood lead testing and stuff. And I'm pretty sure enrollment in kindergarten was enforced. Yeah Fuh -huh-huuuck Republicans and their privacty bullsh. If early childhood checks (of SOME sort) violates "privacy" too effing bad! -It's stories like THIS that would never happen if such things were in place, and maybe this one was extreme but pretty bad neglect and abuse are far from rare. Thing is, it wouldn't even HAVE to cost a lot of money. -It's the kind of thing AI could keep track of, easy as pie.
Crashy, get over yourself. Don't blame all of your failures on some "republican." If you want laws in place, get off your dusty but and make it so. Good grief. I don't know why your community is so backa$$wards behind, because the rest of the nation follows kids being in school. Geez lady, get a clue.
@@Crashy_1989 The same Republicans who "care about the babies" and "care about the children" in their propaganda, sadly we cannot fight and argue with people who are dishonest and don't have secure morals and organizing against them is the best way to find those like minded and protest against this lousy excuse of a system
Texas is the most permissive with homeschooling. You don’t have to register for public school and you don’t even have to teach kids anything at “homeschool.” CPS can’t even check to see if the kids are okay. And that’s thanks to the homeschooling lobby. There are no guardrails.
I have a severely autistic daughter, and it's like pulling teeth literally to get her mediocre services, if she even gets them. Is this what it takes to get a kid decent services in texas? Should I throw a couple of rats in my house? I'm glad this kid is doing well, but this is not the norm for autistic kids in texas. I'll never give up, though, and I will keep fighting for her until my last dying breath. Shame on texas and their shit services for the poor and disabled.
Having rats everywhere is one thing....a child who doesn't know what a bath is or how to eat at a table and speak is such neglect....like she was just a THING and not a human being
This is an incredible story! I had not heard of this poor girl before now. This stirred up a lot of emotions from within. The story was beautifully told. Thank you for sharing the story of Victoria. Hope she is well and happy today
I would absolutely hate to grow up and find out people called me rat girl 😕 that's like something kids would call someone to mock them in elementary school...poor girl.
@@benwinter2420 yeah the people who originally wrote the articles that she's referencing are looking for shock value titles to bring in profit, it's not really armchairs fault
@kidnplay3978 I doubt it. I am guessing it was her brother who, as an adult, also lived there at the time of her pregnancy. He is not mentioned after that, which led me to think he left, possibly to avoid people being suspicious.
She probably lives in a group home and I hope she likes it. I work for a company that runs group homes and we try really hard to get people independent on more things every day. Hope she is doing well.
I lived 4 houses away from them (on the corner of Shelly and 9th Street). I used to walk to work (Sweetish Hill Bakery) every morning and pass that house. I saw her in the window a few times but I thought it was a dog barking at me. I never suspected anything was wrong. I do remember the smell from that house but since there was a gutter near by, I always thought it was from the sewer line.
I was just browsing through and found this, what a shock, hard to believe no friends, relatives, state workers, made anyone aware of the situation, the biological mom must be a good actor, to be able to fool cps, the first time.
I'm wondering what took people so long, to call, and what took CPS so long to respond? I lived outside DC, and called CPS about my niece, in 1982. They responded, right away. Within 1-2 hours.
First time seeing your channel and hearing this story. I appreciate how informative you are and how you speak with kindness and caring about the story you're telling.
May I say I have a problem with this. I am simultaneously in awe, heart broken , and ultimately filled with love. Yea for Victoria and decidedly for her foster parents on the 5 acres. How much love flowed out of them. I would be proud to know them. Again the problem 😂I mentioned I am so happy to hear this and meet the loving ordinary people , the dedicated professionals and you. I’m still cryong I wanna commend you for how you research this how you presented it and the care that came through from you just the desire to share this and share it happiness the joy, the sadness you are very good at what you do miss I sub 23:57
Yeah I heard about genius case The feral children Phenomena is quite interesting I always feel so bad for them It's good that she was taken out of that environment though and given a chance at a better life
I waited untill the end to comment- Autism runs in my ex-husband's family, and I was thinking Victoria's lack of speech, rocking (to self-soothe) were much like my 2 autistic nephews. I was even thinking that the wailing or moaning described by neighbors could be a distressed autistic child. I am so glad Victoria was finally given to a foster family devoted to her care, and has developed some speech and life skills. As for CPS dropping the ball repeatedly- sadly, that is all too common. Any brief search on the Internet will bring many horror stories of our overloaded, underfunded and disorganized CPS agencies. Thank Heavens it finally turned out well for Victoria.
For this to happen in the 90's in a City in the US is so scary. HOW many other children are sleeping with rats tonight? I don't know what it is today about rats but I just watched EWU where a 6 month old baby had his hands eaten off by rats in his bassinet. Whole other story but happened only 10 years ago. It's just so heartbreaking and absolutely preventable. Victoria's story is just so sad. For the mother and grandmother too.
Hi there! I am a brand new subscriber & really enjoy your videos. I lived in Austin in 1997 & I remember this case. It was horrible & I'm so happy to hear she is in a loving home now. What a beautiful family they are! God bless them & you, hon! ❤
I remember when this happened it was devastating to the community. I do remember follow ups on the news about how the young lady was thriving as well. Peace ☮️
This case was heartbreaking to learn about, but I am so glad that Victoria was given such a wonderful support system. Every person that worked to help her (and her clearly disabled and struggling family members) is an angel. It's heartening to hear that so many people, including Victoria's peers at school, stepped up to show her the love and care she needed to recover and grow into a person capable of living a happy and fulfilling life. I'm especially grateful for everyone who gave her the opportunities afforded to any other non-disabled child (school, camp, graduation). Far too often, disabled folks are denied the opportunity to experience normal life, and are not afforded the dignity of facing challenging situations, even with help. But it is exactly those challenges that, with adequate support and encouragement, allow people to grow and learn and experience joy. I hope that wherever Victoria is in her life now, she is happy and surrounded by people who love and appreciate her!
I think the ultimate lesson here, is that we all are responsible. Communities need to look out for eachother, and check to see if our neighbors need help. Praises to those who first sounded the alarm, and for all who've helped since. An especially good job, from the teachers, the school, and kids for all the love and friendship they showed her. ❤❤❤❤
I wonder if there was incest involved, if Victoria’s father was actually her grandfather. If no one saw anyone else enter the house, who else could it be? Unless it happened while she was out, work etc. but incest could contribute to Victoria’s disabilities.
I care for a profoundly autistic teenager who is in a similar situation, she's under child protection for neglect (way less intense than described in this video) but her mother is also autistic and loves her very much, she has another 3 autistic children with no father around. We're trying to find a school that can support her needs as currently she's stuck in the house, it warms my heart seeing all that Victoria achieved and how she interacts with her peers. I can only hope we can get there with the teen I support
I went to school with her and I think we were in the same year. She was a sweetie who loved coming to my choir class. She would get so excited she shrieked and yodeled, but we learned to sing without distraction and take it as a compliment. I hope people are still singing with her. Her aides had to work so hard to get her to run and exercise with us- those women were amazingly dedicated!
Reading your comment brought warmth to my heart! Thank you for sharing this! 💛
As a teacher, it warms my heart so much to know that Victoria was loved and accepted by her community ❤ I wish society could always be that way
I'm so glad people understood her, tried to be considerate about her and include her. This makes me so happy
The fact that a disabled woman who rarely goes out got pregnant in a household with multiple men points to a dark origin of the child
I dont want to even think about it
Thank you
Where were multiple men mentioned?
@@zakjackson2610Father and brother
the mother herself had the sensibilities of a grade schooler. Nobody noticed at the hospital. yet, they had to hang somebody for it, so they hung the blame on the city. good chance, the mother was an "indoor" child too
Eduardo Venegas died February 2024 and Victoria is listed as his foster daughter in his obituary.
Eduardo, along with his wife, obviously loved Victoria and had always held a special place in his heart! Thank you for the information too!
❤ lovely 🌹
What a lovely couple… being Gods hands here on earth.
thank you for the updated info, truly angels without wings both Mr. and Mrs. Venegas. RIP Eduardo
@@poppiepop6774You do know biblically the saying Angel without wings is a term to describe demons? A fallen angel whose wings burned up on the fall. Etymology is dope. Yahweh is Dope!
I called CPS on a mom who lets her children run around. She lets the 7-9 year old girls around men and lets them ask the men for money which I feel puts them at risk. She would also let her 13 year old son run around gangs and drugs. I called CPS and felt like I had enough reason when I found out the boy had a gun and would go around brandishing it. CPS took my request but never acted on it and I recently found out the boy was shot and killed about a year after I made the call. I really wish CPS had a better system.
Oh my gosh this is so heartbreaking!! If you see something, say something. Better to be safe than sorry. You made the right decision to call, friend. 💛
You made the right decision to call and it is not your fault. Cps is a massive failure in the US and leaves children to die in abusive homes but removes kids from safe and clean ones that love them just to put them back with their abusive parents. One channel I watch called The Misery Machine covers majority child abuse cases resulting in death and I’d say 9/10 of them have cps files and reports already made before the childs death. They just do not care and until CPS workers can be charged for neglecting their cases and children I don’t think anything will change
Neurotypical is as neurotypical does.
Nothing.
People forget the workers have to abide by what the judges say in most states.
They have very high requirements for being a social worker for CPS. They would probably have more employees to work in the field if it didn't require an associate degree to work for them. It's a pricey degree to get paid so low when you are finished. People who want to help children end up going into a career that pays better. Which usually ends up being a therapist. The whole system needs redone. There are so many things that need changed. It's just a shame that children suffer for it. Bottom line is it's the future of our world at stake
The other girls at the school helping Victoria made my eyes start watering.
Same! It was beautiful!🥹
Kids can be truly amazing with such kindness 💖👵🏻❣️
My heart melted. What a beautiful thing.
Ikr!
"Sounds like a 'tail' that could really 'squeak' to the heart of Austin's culture!"
It’s nice seeing a community of people come together to support her
Years late, but , ok..
I had mild cognitive impairment for several years due to an undiagnosed internal infection, and you just can't think straight, you can't tackle complex tasks, you get overwhelmed with everything, and you can't organise your thoughts well enough to ask for help. Systemic support systems and proper welfare checks and follow-ups are so important.
There are so many different diseases you can get from living among rats. It's amazing she even survived.
Gosh I’m so sorry it must have been really scary
"So, is this a story about survival or just a really intense game of 'cat and mouse'?"
What kind of infection if you don't mind me asking? I'm experiencing similar symptoms & can't seem to get anything accomplished. I used to not be like this & have thought it was a trauma response from C-PTSD, but now I'm wondering if it could be something like what you had.
@@jennyb5953I’d like to know too because I’m going through the same :/
The fact she wouldn’t eat til her lil friend pulled out her lunch is extremely endearing
Listen I’m a wreck right now I lost count how many kisses I’ve given the screen to Victoria lol. I love her so much ❤ This right here did it for me. I’m balling!
Right?!?
"Forget the rat race; Victoria’s clearly winning the rat game! Can I get some tips?"
It’s so sweet. My mom taught me to never eat in front of others unless they had something to eat as well- it’s amazing that it came to her naturally.
I am so glad Victoria had a second chance at life. I have a non verbal autistic son with a learning disability and the last part of your video turned me into a blubbering wreck. I sooo glad she was surrounded but such kind hearted people who helped her reach her potential. Bless her.
I hope my son is surrounded by kind souls as he makes his way through life.
You have got yourself a new subscriber.
So glad your son has such a caring and loving mother in his corner 💛
I couldn't love this story any more! ❤
Hang in there, accept all the professional help you can get, make time for yourself. If he's not on your state's autism waiver, get him on the waiting list. Brains don't fully mature until 25, for parents like us that can be as big a milestone as most parents watching theirs turn 16 or 18.
🫂
"I hear Victoria really knows how to 'rat' out the competition! What a tail of adventure!"
Sending so much good, positive and healing energy towards you and your son. All the best for you all
I came from a home were i was neglected and abused. I starded doing drugs at the age of 13 i am 45 today,now i have been clean for almost 3 years. It was when my Mother died that i started thinking about change my life,my Mother started giving me drugs at the age of 13. I also started terapi,the best thing i could have done. My therapist told me once that "when you know better,you do better". So, so true. I also have 3 children,and they have given me one more chance to be in their lives (i am so grateful). If anyone struggle with not knowing how to take care of their children, please please tell the "right persons"! Love from Sweden Tess Ps. Please do an update on Victorias case,if you get to know something more about her life. Ds
Thank you for sharing your story. I hope life continues to go well for you ❤
@@texastea5686 Thank you
good luck. I am proud of you 😊
Keep up the good work!
You've done so well; you've broken the chain. Enjoy your lovely children!
It looks like her foster father passed away in Feb. '24; and she's listed as his foster daughter in his obituary...so hopefully that means she's remained with that loving family just living a quiet life.
I mentor moms who's kids have been taken by CPS for a living. Although there are a few who generally just don't seem to care much about their kids, that is honestly the minority. Most of them have come from a line of generational disfuntion and trauma themselves and are just trying to survive the best they can. I personally feel they did the right thing by not prosecuting the mom and grandma. Very sad story but seems to have had a happy ending. Most likely the father had impregnated his daughter and that's why they never said who the bio dad was
That was my thought also.
Same here !!!
Yeah the government did me pretty dirty I'm Canadian I left home at 15I'm the oldest of 5 kids with 4 different dads my mother wasn't a bad mother it's just she definitely didn't have the means to raise us I wouldn't have kept having kids if I were I ended up leaving at 15I just wasn't giving enough helpers support I was Homeless for a while couldn't couldn't finish high school had to do some not so great things to survive The teenage shelter was full so I had to stay at the shelter with grown men whom a lot just got out of prison for god knows what got pregnant at 16 with my boyfriend who Wasn't exactly a great guy But I had abandoned abandonment issues and Was also scared to raise a baby by myself I ended up having my baby Apartment But soon we kept fighting because he wanted to go and party and hang out with friends but I was stuck at home watching the baby myself Didn't wanna go get a job or anything we were on well welfare and we were suffering so of course we ended up Arguing loudly Neighbors called the police and children's aid was called They were basically taking my daughter from me I wish I could have just left and went on my own With my daughter but I had no high school education so therefore I wasn't able to get a job I have some mental disabilities not Major but it was too hard to look after a Small baby and do school at the same time There is housing available for mothers but they wouldn't give it to me they wouldn't help me The baby bonus that was $200 a month back then they wanted me to pay back out of my welfare check So with no help from my government No help from my family and no help from my daughter's I lost custody and she was adopted There is no pain like having a child ripped away My daughter is 18 now I got a chance to reunite with her Of course I know deep down she was mad at me for giving her up But it wasn't willingly Had I had any help at all I never would have gave her up I just wish I had a chance to get on my ' and get my life together a little bit Never really had a chance Anyways I thank you For doing that kind of thing you do for mothers and fathers The pain you feel when you know you cannot provide For yourself or your child it's just horrible I was self destructive for a long time To deal with the heartache but I knew she was in a better place Young parents sometimes need help especially when they can't get it from family or government Young parents sometimes need help especially when they can't get it from family or government agencies Any amount of help Count counts and it really matters It's good to keep families together when the parents actually care they just need a chance And yet I agree that the father was probably the Cause of the pregnancy Could be 1 reason why she had disabilities other than Sensory deprivation And strange environment Sorry for the long story
Thank you.
Its weird to say but i am very lucky. Even though both my parents died unexpectedly by the time i was 8, i only have good memories of them as well as 3 older brothers and an older sister who all kicked in to keep us all together. I miss my parents still even though I am 60 now, but I am so greatful that my parents instilled in my siblings postive things. They were awesome parents even though i barely remember them. I feel so bad for people like this little girl and so many others who are treated terribly and not appreciated😢
Interesting note on the only eating bread: I’m not a psychologist but I do have ARFIDS, and she might have had a contamination related phobia to things that spoil quickly, like meat, fruits, and vegetables. The fear of mold or bugs can be overwhelming and is fortified by years of actual mold and bugs in food.
That’s an interesting thought! 🤔
I care for a profoundly autistic teenage girl who only eats bread and chocolate :D Living the dream but of course we try and introduce nutritious food for her health
As an autistic adult, stories like these where the child ends up in a very supportive atmosphere are absolutely incredible. The world underestimates disabled individuals every day. It's disheartening.
How wonderful to see a community come together to support this young lady. Particularly the roles the other children played.. Just amazing
I'm sure somewhere here in the U.S. right now another child is being neglected in a similar way.
Sadly yes 😢
And many other countries as well. It happens EVERYWHERE! ITS DISGUSTING that people think this is acceptable behavior!
Or worse 😕
It doesn't bare thinking about does it. There are the small percentage of people that are heartless.
There are those like Victorias family that truly loved her but did not have the capability to look after to the level she needed.
Then I like to believe the majority of people have there heart in the right place. Like her class mates that helped her so much
When I see cases like this, I think the same thing, and I stop and pray for all those kids to be rescued.
I’m kind of glad not much is known about her today. She deserves a private quiet life regardless of her beginnings. I’m just glad she found so many people to love and care for her.
The fact that she thought she was a rat and squeaked like one getting raised by animals is a sign of the worst kind of neglect
Animals don't raise us. We survive by imitating their behavior.
Hearing all the love and support she got from her fellow peers during school was SOOOO incredibly touching, I'm SO glad she didn't go through bullying like I saw so many mentaly diasbled during my time in school including myself. She really lucked out with going to a school with kids that actually have compassion and supportive.
Her fellow students who volunteered to walk her to class and eat lunch with her made me cry. What sweet girls. How touching.
People in the area saw rats crawling up the screen door?!? And didn’t call the health department?? Thanks for another informative video !
They did! It took 3 times before CPS came out
@@DarkEntries CPS and the health department are 2 different entities. Child or no child the rats should have been reported to the governmental section that deals with health and safety. If they had been Victoria might have been noticed during their investigation and by agents that might have been taken more seriously by CPS than civilians.
It's weird thing , in Darwin NT Oz a while back at a friends house in a nice suburb . . all houses fairly new due to severe cyclones regular wiping old one away . . was there on dusk one time in the fellows backyard & saw an amazing sight . . the tops of the fences seen to the rear started this seemingly endless conga line of big rats rushing from somewhere they hung out during the day to somewhere they hung out at night , literally hundreds
@@42ayla You're right. They are. I guess I expected CPS to do their job. Instead they've always been incompetent.
You'd be surprised at what people ignore
Im from Austin and never heard this story. Im glad she got the help she needed
same. never heard of this story.
I remember the news coverage when she was discovered, but then the story just died.
Right? I was born in the same hospital in 1994. This is my first time hearing about it.
Same! Born and raised here in Austin, and I'm about the same age as her, but I've never heard of this story.
The other children just melt my heart. They wanted to help her, not bully her. Children are the most beautiful gift to all of us. They are so innocent and loving. It's the adults who screw them up. Shame on those.
thiss
Exactly!! Hearing how caring, understanding, and helpful Victoria’s peers were with her made my heart swell. Hearing how she was given the title of honorary prom queen in her sophomore year brought a tear to my eye. I hope nothing but the best for her and her loved ones for the rest of their time on this earth
I worked as a nurse and had a patient in her 50s. She had the mental age of an 8 year old. She wanted coloring books dolls and of all things cigarettes. She had a daughter about 36 who was very beautiful and clearly normal. We later learned this lady was raised much like Victoria allowed to marry at about 13 to a 40 plus man who was by this time dead. She really acted about 4 running up the halls laughing and crawling under orhers beds. Constantly begged for cigarettes. Always called me Sue though repeatedly told my actual name. I could not believe how someone and some state allowed this lady to marry at age 13 and have children with a mentality like this
Careless parents who wanted her gone asap.
Sad thing is that's still legal in a lot of states with parental consent. It was recently proposed that it be made no longer legal but some Republican lawmakers pitched a fit and killed the legislation.
In many places as long as the parents consent it's ok. And the Conservatives who run most states don't care as long as ppl don't get on social services. Its why they're lowering age of consent
And there is always some pervert with the need to be with teen or preteen kids
Or allowed her to smoke cigarettes! 😮
Nobody should get married at 13, but forbidding adults with mental health issues of any kind to have children never ends well. Too many poor people and people of colour have been involuntarily sterilised because someone thought they weren't mentally competent when what they actually were was impovereished or unwilling to obey authorities who weren't looking out for them.
19:40 her able bodied peers sound like very empathetic young ladies, and it appears they contributed greatly towards Victoria's quality of life. They are real heros.
Thank you for including unblemished newspaper articles I was able to pause and read.
I am crying because of the sheer amount of people that came together to take care of this angel. Even the other children, who are often times so cruel because they don't know better, but they took care of her.
I was sent to that children’s home at the age of 9 as well. Not a good place for kids. I was severely beaten and SA as a child that’s how I ended up there. I was taken away from abusive family. I was there in 87’.
I’m so sorry you had to endure that 💔
The abuse of children in Texas is heartbreaking. I lived in Austin then, had walked past that house a few times. I thought it was abandoned but the Health Department should have it condemned. The land that house sat on was worth a fortune. When this case broke, I wasn’t surprised at all the handling of it. Due to issues going on in my brother-in-law’s family, we had contacted that department several times. Other family members from Michigan and Ohio had visited their house and called me to help get a report filed. I went over there. It was 110 degrees. No air-conditioning and no fans. The baby was in an old bassinet on the floor. The toddlers were in an old playpen. My own toddler was on my hip and he started crying as soon as we walked through the door. I had to put him on the dirty floor (at least he had sandals on) and ran to the bassinet. Oh my. Changed the baby and used almost whole package of baby wipes. Cool washcloths to cool him down. I just wanted to take all three of them to my home immediately. I have never forgotten the way the baby was shaking (much later I finally understood both my husband’s brother and wife were cocaine users and that poor little boy was still withdrawing from drugs.) All three children were born in that falling down house and she received almost no prenatal care. She is a doctor’s daughter! This entry could turn into a thesis on Texas, the so called Child Protective Services. We stayed there until the mom finally came home. I emptied my son’s diaper bag on those poor babies and tried to fix them all lunch. Long story short: We finally got CPS out there. Because they were upper-middle class white people (father an attorney for the State of Texas as the time: Late ‘80s to early 90s, he knew his way through the system. They had to attend parenting classes. I (the wife’s sister-in-law and I) tried hard to be there for those three adorable red-haired little ones. The abuse continued only eventually from a big McMansion in Buda. As adults, all three children have serious issues but work hard on them. Often they tell us we were their real parents because we looked after them always and tried hard with their parents. Only one child has anything to do with their parents. The other two moved far away and cut off contact. It’s a situation that split our family and CPS was almost no help.
I’m so sorry. You didn’t deserve any of that. I hope you’re flourishing and happy now.
I used to work with students like Victoria! I found it to be the most rewarding work. I unfortunately had to stop due to health issues. I miss my kiddos and stories make me so happy to see
I’m kinda thinking Diana’s dad impregnated her what do yall think
Was thinking the same.
Same.
Or the brother?
I didn't want to say it but can't help to think it 😔
First thing to come to my mind :/
I feel for her. When people get too much for me; I take solace in the company of dogs, chickens, horses, etc. I doubt this is uncommon. I'm so glad they got her a foster home that was understanding. So very many things to catch up on.
I understand. Humans make my head hurt sometimes.
Animals though? They are my saving grace. Sending you love and light. 💝🐾🐶🐱
I can't trust most people and absolutely trust my dogs , cats and other pets....they're pure and give pure love...animals can't fake love
Hands down the most shocking part of this story for me, was that the kids in her schools actually supported and cared for her. Kids are so profoundly cruel and antagonizing. I am curious how the community managed to organize the school kids to be nice to her. Thinking about all the bullying that happens today, it makes me wonder if it's possible to apply the same methods to schools nationwide. Seriously, this widespread kindness is so shocking to me.
I feel that too. Most of my life Ive been treated far from nicely from some of my classmates up until high school, but the people I’ve met with disabilities or mental states worse than anyone else were treated poorly. Watching the people around you slowly deteriorate and detach from a place they’re supposed to be able to make connections in their younger years and learn, its disheartening and has drastically changed my opinion on the people Ive grown up and live around. Kids are cruel
i’m glad we don’t know what victoria is doing today so many of these cases are made a spectacle and she deserves care and privacy
I had not heard of Victoria- thank you Brooke, for shedding light on her story.
Victoria's mother indeed sounds like a disabled person, however the fact that she worked in a diner, tells me she saw how cleanliness is followed as well as how other children are treated.
I would like to know more about Dian's mother who lived there as well- how did she deal with and treat Diana...
Genie's background was filled with the most despicable behaviour from the father, at least Victoria did not receive the abuse Genie did.
I hope Victoria is doing well.
I salute the citizens that reported, as well as her incredible foster parents! There are good people and there is hope out there.
As always, your caring and heartfelt reporting is greatly appreciated.
I am proud to be a subscriber of yours.
I suggest reading the article about this from Texas Monthly. It goes more in depth about the mother and grandmother.
@@11Renee11 Thank you so much!
@@11Renee11 Thanks again, I just read the article a minute ago.
I was interested because my brother in law is severely mentally disabled, schizophrenia as well as other mental disabilities.
He is now 60 years old and cannot take care of himself and certainly not work. He has moments of lucidity when he can communicate a few words that make sense. He lives with my sister in law and her wife.
Medication doesn't help him much at all and my sister in law has to keep a close eye on him in general.
From the article it mentioned Edna was having early onset dementia, although to me the state of the house etc was happening before that- looking at the extent of neglect.
It seems to me that both women had mental disabilities left untreated and no one knew or cared for any of them.
Heart breaking and tragic.
i think that if you have two adults living in conditions like that, they probably aren't fit to be tried. it seems like they were both mentally ill or something along those lines. i know the authorities had dropped the ball on the investigation into victoria's situation, but i would like to think that they were able to make the right choices going forward. it sounds like victoria ended up in a good environment where she could make progress and grow and be safe in new places along her journey - like going to mainstream schools and to camps with the right support. it seems like SO many of these extreme neglect cases end up with the children being in foster homes where they continue to be abused or exploited, so honestly it seems like everything up until the point where we don't have more info about her. like you said, her family did love her and it just doesn't seem like it would have done anyone any good to have sent them to jail - they chose to help rehabiliitate her mother and allow her to learn and change. i think that is wonderful.
My mother and her 5 siblings were ab^sed in foster care (after their mom d1ed), in unspeakably horrific ways…. and it isn’t dealt with like regular parent/child ab^se…. They thought it was too hard to find other people to take all 6 of them, and purposefully turned a blind eye to all the worst types of ab^se your wildest imagination could muster… times six, for 10+ years 😢
I think a lot of people are misinformed about what CPS is for. They are there to insure that children are safe and healthy in their environments. It’s not about breaking apart families and throwing parents in jail. The main goal of foster care is to provide the structure and training needed to the parents to be able to get their children back. Diana was never able to provide a healthy and safe environment but it’s not out of malice or indifference. She was mentally disabled and was unable to create a better life for herself or her daughter on her own. There was no reason to put her in jail because she was not able to be seen as competent in court.
omg she is so beautiful! her face is just so innocent and pure 😢 thank you for this story ❤
Especially her eyes
I lived in Austin from 1979-1981 I can attest to the fact that the Child Protective services was a hot mess. I reported a deaf girl who was not properly supervised.she was known to walk in front of cars and when I found the apart en she was living alone with her father, I got her case worker’s number. I told her about the filth and lack of food in the kitchen. They had no furniture. She has been talked iut if a foster hime and the rep acted annoyed that I called to report her. The caseworker admitted she hadn’t seen this child in years and even asked me when I thought it was out of line to not have furniture. I later moved out of the area and always wondered if the little girl was OK.
I did fieldwork at The Rosedale School when I was in college for Human Services/Therapeutic Recreation in 2004-2008. They had the best programs for people with pervasive intellectual disabilities and the staff with whom I worked with were amazing. The students taught me that anything is possible with determination if given the right support. I learned so much from them.
She was clearly autistic that went untreated and severely understimulated. The mother was possibly as well, and I wonder if it was grandpa that got the mother pregnant since she was such a recluse. Autistic girls were often overlooked and misdiagnosed back then.
If she was a boy, that would probably have been diagnosed far earlier.
"FINE! I'll take a few minutes away from abducting children to check on this kid who is obviously living in horrible conditions. Gosh!" -CPS
My sentiments EXACTLY 💔💔💔💔
CPS does not "abduct" children, they remove them from trashy, unfit parents. Grow up.
For real.
As soon as I heard CPS never made any follow ups after the notice I just knew it would be a white family. Here in Canada in the 1950s they stole indigenous kids from loving families and put them into white homes. Many had decent upbringing but MANY were abused by the "safe" families they were placed in.
I was in high school in Austin when this happened. I remember feeling so awful for the whole family. My mother and father both volunteered in the community so, I’d heard of even worse situations with children. This story was so nuanced. There was no clear bad guy but circumstance. None of the women living in that house had been taught how to live well, not one. I fear the father may have been abusing his daughter though, as that seemed to be the only man she had ever spent time with in private. Who knows, there were far too many unsolved rapes back then and girls knew to only walk in packs. These women didn’t seem to have been taught how to care for themselves so, it’s likely if she was assaulted she wouldn’t have known to report it. Texas is full of odd run down houses with lights streaming through layers of old newspaper. It’s a shame though that the neighbors didn’t investigate a bit more. We had neighbors that were hoarders with a 2 year old. They were reported and left so quickly after, they left their dog. Charlie was the best dog a kid could have. We took him in and rarely spoke about the empty house next door with piles of trash to the ceilings. So much happens behind closed doors. That’s why it’s good to have good people sitting on porches, watching fr signs of trouble.
I’ve lived in Austin my whole life, so it’s crazy to me that this is the first time I’m hearing about this case
My thought too
What happened to the brother? When did he move out? Why didn't he help those women?
So much more info needed!
I grew up having been woken up many nights with rats biting me, it’s amazing I survived but growing up knowing what I didn’t want helped me live the life I did want!
She's delayed and autistic...she probably didn't know anything else since sje was isolated from everyone...to HER, it was normal
Hi.
I’m from Norway and I have heard about this case before. But I must say that your delivery on it is very much more detailed. Great work.🙌🏼👍🏼
Wish I knew more about how she is doing today or the rest of her story though. 🌻
Thanks for watching! 💛
This is the first time I have listened to your channel. What an incredible case. I've never heard of it before. It almost sounds far to incredible too be true.
Thank you for watching! 💛
as an autistic person assigned female at birth, hearing the description of her toe walking and flapping her hands and avoiding eye contact and then hearing it followed up with the professionals saying she didn't show signs of autism was so frustrating -- i grew up neglected as well and did much of the same things, i see myself in her and it is SO frustrating to see how all the signs are there and yet...
😣
Please don't call this poor child "rat girl" she had absolutely no say in her environment. She suffered so in life, try to be kind about her in death.
what do you mean be kind about her in death? she didn’t die …
The video talked about Victoria in a very caring and gentle way and used her name throughout. Rat girl was how she was referred to in the news headlines
Oh behave, she was described as rat girl ….so sensitive 🙄
That’s what the news called her
I agree she should never of been called The Rat Girl 😢
I like the way you pronounced Blanco. I’m from Texas and I appreciate that. You also told her story with such care. I look forward to watching more of your stuff❤
I appreciate you saying that! Thank you 💛
You're ability to express these circumstances with compassion is classy. Great video
I truly appreciate you saying that!
They didn't abuse her? I beg to differ. Keeping her in a rat infested stink hole in dirty clothes, no light, no communication or food is abuse where I come from. She knew enough to take herself to the hospital to have Victoria. She knew enough to go to work. So she must have kept up her hygiene. They were lazy. They couldn't be bothered with Victoria after her granddad passed and I am disgusted. I'm disgusted with them. I'm disgusted with the neighbours and I am disgusted with social services.
You make fair points. It’s a tough situation all around, isn’t it? I appreciated reading your thoughts.Thank you for watching and commenting. 💛
They didn't have the mental capacity to know any better, the grandmother had dementia and her mother had a learning disability, What part of the story didn't you understand??
Did she take herself to the hospital though, or did her family take her? The only person who regularly left the house was the dad
@myababy-on2pe She worked
@@jeanettehinds4253 for a place that employs people with intellectual disabilities…
Doesn’t mean she could drive to the hospital while having painful contractions
"Lost paperwork" is a weak excuse. cps is incompetent
I used to think that but when each caseworker has like 400 kids to look after, people leave CPS in droves all the time, THEE worst systems you have seen (computers from 70s & 80s), supposedly Christian voters & politicians who give 0 priority to budget adequately for needy kids, few foster & adoptive parents willing, the need to swap expert psychs & social workers with clueless ppl who many times don't care about kids at all, the wonder is that MORE paperwork isn't lost.
I'm a volunteer & deal with these ppl closely & it's bigger than you think.
@@bellamijaymes2153 Even though this is logical and would be an amazing answer to why this happens, this is currently still an excuse being used in cases like this & worse where the child is somehow in worse conditions or has passed away due to the conditions or experiences that they had to live though. It's almost 2025 and "lost paperwork" sounds like ancient history that should never be repeated due to being so overwhelmingly aware of it's value, it's a childs life at the end of the day and they allow for the loss of thousands of childrens rights and lives like they never had a paper trail and as if they never existed.
When you’re paid poverty wages and have next to no funding, things fall through the cracks. We need more funding for CPS.
Why didn't the do a DNA test to determine her bio-dad.
Good point
Probably because her dad was the father unfortunately
Her grandfather was probably also her father
@@ARorHR I was thinking the dad or the brother
Probably insest....😢
She is a beautiful girl. Thank you so much to the foster parents. She had such a big smile, from all the help she had and all the lovely people in her life❤ I hope she is still happy and safe❤
You have a great speaking voice, it's very warm and thoughtful.
Who else doesn’t believe the bs of the file disappearing
I love how so many in the community came together to support this family! ❤
The way you covered this individual's story and very respectful, thank you
Also your voice reminds me of this audio book I could borrow from my library. Its such a natural story telling/narrating voice! C:
Awe, I appreciate that! I'm glad you enjoyed the video. 💛
Man, those CPS workers were really great people. When I was taken into foster care, I was made to feel that my parents were monsters and I was a monster by association. My foster mom was sweet, but the case workers were the real monsters. They literally threatened to put me in a home where they said I’d probably be SA’d. Why did they say that? Because I started crying when they berated me.
thank you for telling me about yet another story i've never heard of. i'm also an austin native! (granted I was 3 years old at the time all of this went down LOL)
My daughter is her age...makes me sad...she's a lovely girl!
No girl, I have never heard of this story. Good tell!!
What I don't understand is how this happened as recently as it did. And Victoria wasn't born at home with nobody knowing of her existence; she had birth and early doctor records. Also it's not like her mother became untraceable as if she had moved away; she had a job right there in the town! I thought there was a system in place to make sure children begin kindergarten at age 5, or for the parents to show that they were prepared to begin certified homeschooling.
@@Crashy_1989 I don't know where I got that impression but I could SWEAR there was such a thing -maybe it was Iowa where I grew up (world-renowned for education back then). Mind you I was born in '73 and they were doing routine stuff like door-to-door blood lead testing and stuff. And I'm pretty sure enrollment in kindergarten was enforced.
Yeah Fuh -huh-huuuck Republicans and their privacty bullsh. If early childhood checks (of SOME sort) violates "privacy" too effing bad! -It's stories like THIS that would never happen if such things were in place, and maybe this one was extreme but pretty bad neglect and abuse are far from rare. Thing is, it wouldn't even HAVE to cost a lot of money. -It's the kind of thing AI could keep track of, easy as pie.
Crashy, get over yourself. Don't blame all of your failures on some "republican." If you want laws in place, get off your dusty but and make it so. Good grief. I don't know why your community is so backa$$wards behind, because the rest of the nation follows kids being in school. Geez lady, get a clue.
@@Crashy_1989 The same Republicans who "care about the babies" and "care about the children" in their propaganda, sadly we cannot fight and argue with people who are dishonest and don't have secure morals and organizing against them is the best way to find those like minded and protest against this lousy excuse of a system
There is no registration or certification for homeschool in Texas.
Texas is the most permissive with homeschooling. You don’t have to register for public school and you don’t even have to teach kids anything at “homeschool.” CPS can’t even check to see if the kids are okay. And that’s thanks to the homeschooling lobby. There are no guardrails.
I have a severely autistic daughter, and it's like pulling teeth literally to get her mediocre services, if she even gets them. Is this what it takes to get a kid decent services in texas? Should I throw a couple of rats in my house? I'm glad this kid is doing well, but this is not the norm for autistic kids in texas. I'll never give up, though, and I will keep fighting for her until my last dying breath. Shame on texas and their shit services for the poor and disabled.
Your daughter is so lucky to have you. The world needs more people like you. 💛
Having rats everywhere is one thing....a child who doesn't know what a bath is or how to eat at a table and speak is such neglect....like she was just a THING and not a human being
This is an incredible story! I had not heard of this poor girl before now. This stirred up a lot of emotions from within. The story was beautifully told. Thank you for sharing the story of Victoria. Hope she is well and happy today
Thank you for watching 💛
How good was that couple that took her on as their daughter.
I would absolutely hate to grow up and find out people called me rat girl 😕 that's like something kids would call someone to mock them in elementary school...poor girl.
Well not trying a low blow . . but she could maybe capitalize on the term
I would be horrified....
@@benwinter2420 yeah the people who originally wrote the articles that she's referencing are looking for shock value titles to bring in profit, it's not really armchairs fault
I don’t know how people live like that. I would be a nervous wreck.
The Bio Dad was probably Dad. Eéeek 😢😮
I thought so as well
Was seeing if anyone else picked up on that before I commented. Yes, I agree as well. Seems that's going over most people's heads.
@kidnplay3978 I doubt it. I am guessing it was her brother who, as an adult, also lived there at the time of her pregnancy. He is not mentioned after that, which led me to think he left, possibly to avoid people being suspicious.
@christywood3714 Was the brother there BEFORE her pregnancy is my question then. And I don't remember a brother being mentioned in the video.
Totally agree 👍
First time here and I love your voice ❤
So glad you’re here! 💛
She probably lives in a group home and I hope she likes it. I work for a company that runs group homes and we try really hard to get people independent on more things every day. Hope she is doing well.
Thank goodness for kind-hearted people.❤
Nancy, I couldn’t have said it better myself! 💛
I lived 4 houses away from them (on the corner of Shelly and 9th Street). I used to walk to work (Sweetish Hill Bakery) every morning and pass that house. I saw her in the window a few times but I thought it was a dog barking at me. I never suspected anything was wrong. I do remember the smell from that house but since there was a gutter near by, I always thought it was from the sewer line.
I was just browsing through and found this, what a shock, hard to believe no friends, relatives, state workers, made anyone aware of the situation, the biological mom must be a good actor, to be able to fool cps, the first time.
Poor girl :( What is wrong with people? If you cannot care for a child, get help and get the child to a safe environment. This is so sad.
Everyone coming together to help her is definitely one of those stories that can restore faith in humanity.
I'm wondering what took people so long, to call, and what took CPS so long to respond? I lived outside DC, and called CPS about my niece, in 1982. They responded, right away. Within 1-2 hours.
it’s really amazing to hear about cases that weren’t completely failed by the justice system it’s very hopeful.
First time seeing your channel and hearing this story. I appreciate how informative you are and how you speak with kindness and caring about the story you're telling.
Thank you for watching 💛
@ArmchairInvestigator I subscribed so I can keep up with new videos.
@@jrzydvlgrl711 thank you! 🥺
May I say I have a problem with this. I am simultaneously in awe, heart broken , and ultimately filled with love. Yea for Victoria and decidedly for her foster parents on the 5 acres. How much love flowed out of them. I would be proud to know them. Again the problem 😂I mentioned I am so happy to hear this and meet the loving ordinary people , the dedicated professionals and you. I’m still cryong I wanna commend you for how you research this how you presented it and the care that came through from you just the desire to share this and share it happiness the joy, the sadness you are very good at what you do miss I sub 23:57
Yeah I heard about genius case The feral children Phenomena is quite interesting I always feel so bad for them It's good that she was taken out of that environment though and given a chance at a better life
I waited untill the end to comment- Autism runs in my ex-husband's family, and I was thinking Victoria's lack of speech, rocking (to self-soothe) were much like my 2 autistic nephews.
I was even thinking that the wailing or moaning described by neighbors could be a distressed autistic child.
I am so glad Victoria was finally given to a foster family devoted to her care, and has developed some speech and life skills.
As for CPS dropping the ball repeatedly- sadly, that is all too common. Any brief search on the Internet will bring many horror stories of our overloaded, underfunded and disorganized CPS agencies.
Thank Heavens it finally turned out well for Victoria.
You're really good at making these videos. I hope more of your videos get more attention; you can tell a lot of hardwork goes into these
Wow!! Thank you for noticing! 🥺
The lady who narrated the story is absolutely gorgeous ❤❤❤❤❤
First time listener. Well researched, and respectfully/well presented. Thank you. New subscriber
Thank you, Brandy! 💛
They always forget to give these children love and commit to their protection for life.
For this to happen in the 90's in a City in the US is so scary. HOW many other children are sleeping with rats tonight? I don't know what it is today about rats but I just watched EWU where a 6 month old baby had his hands eaten off by rats in his bassinet. Whole other story but happened only 10 years ago. It's just so heartbreaking and absolutely preventable. Victoria's story is just so sad. For the mother and grandmother too.
Hi there! I am a brand new subscriber & really enjoy your videos. I lived in Austin in 1997 & I remember this case. It was horrible & I'm so happy to hear she is in a loving home now. What a beautiful family they are! God bless them & you, hon! ❤
@@shawnawilford4443 so glad you subscribed! 💛
I remember when this happened it was devastating to the community. I do remember follow ups on the news about how the young lady was thriving as well. Peace ☮️
This case was heartbreaking to learn about, but I am so glad that Victoria was given such a wonderful support system. Every person that worked to help her (and her clearly disabled and struggling family members) is an angel. It's heartening to hear that so many people, including Victoria's peers at school, stepped up to show her the love and care she needed to recover and grow into a person capable of living a happy and fulfilling life. I'm especially grateful for everyone who gave her the opportunities afforded to any other non-disabled child (school, camp, graduation). Far too often, disabled folks are denied the opportunity to experience normal life, and are not afforded the dignity of facing challenging situations, even with help. But it is exactly those challenges that, with adequate support and encouragement, allow people to grow and learn and experience joy. I hope that wherever Victoria is in her life now, she is happy and surrounded by people who love and appreciate her!
Victoria is such a beautiful child. Those eyes are full of light.
I think the ultimate lesson here, is that we all are responsible. Communities need to look out for eachother, and check to see if our neighbors need help. Praises to those who first sounded the alarm, and for all who've helped since. An especially good job, from the teachers, the school, and kids for all the love and friendship they showed her. ❤❤❤❤
Amen! 💛
I wonder if there was incest involved, if Victoria’s father was actually her grandfather. If no one saw anyone else enter the house, who else could it be? Unless it happened while she was out, work etc. but incest could contribute to Victoria’s disabilities.
Just got off work. Time to listen and enjoy whilst washing dishes 😂❤
I do the same thing!!
@@ArmchairInvestigator Me too! Lol I put my phone in the window over the sink! 😁
I worked with Eduardo Venegas at Juvenile Court here in Austin back in the 90s.
Victoria has an INCREDIBLE smile!
God bless Victoria and everyone that helped her. I think Diana and Edna were definitely victims as well. I hope they are all doing well today ❤❤❤
I care for a profoundly autistic teenager who is in a similar situation, she's under child protection for neglect (way less intense than described in this video) but her mother is also autistic and loves her very much, she has another 3 autistic children with no father around. We're trying to find a school that can support her needs as currently she's stuck in the house, it warms my heart seeing all that Victoria achieved and how she interacts with her peers. I can only hope we can get there with the teen I support