A 31-year-old Texas woman who once appeared on the reality TV show Paternity Court has been arrested after authorities say she shot her four children early Saturday morning, killing two of them and wounding two others.
The Shooting & Aftermath
The Brazoria County Sheriff’s Office says deputies responded around 4:45 a.m. to a report of a woman who had called 911 asking for assistance. When officers arrived at a gas station near Angleton, they discovered the four children inside a vehicle, suffering from gunshot wounds.
A 13-year-old boy and a 3-year-old girl were pronounced dead at the scene. The two other children, ages 8 and 9, were airlifted to a Houston-area hospital, where medical staff say their conditions are stable.
The mother, identified by authorities as Oninda Romelus, was arrested at the scene. She is being held on bond totaling $14 million.
Alleged Statements, Motives & Mental State
Court documents and reporting reveal that during her police interview, Romelus made disturbing statements indicating paranoia and delusional beliefs.
According to those documents, she told investigators she feared her children might kill her, claiming:
“Instead of them doing it to me, I’m gonna do it to them.”
When questioned further, she allegedly added:
“Kill them all.”
She also made bizarre remarks saying her children were “with the devil,” and that they were “dead to her.”
Investigators described many of her statements as incoherent and disconnected from logical explanation.
TV History & Background
Romelus had appeared on Paternity Court roughly 12 years ago in a case involving her son, O’Karreo, whose paternity was in question. In that episode, she admitted she had been involved with two men simultaneously and that either could potentially be the father.
The show, which delved into family disputes, paternity challenges, and related issues, has since wound down, with its final episodes now available on YouTube.
Legal Charges & Ongoing Investigation
Romelus faces the following charges:
- Two counts of murder
- Two counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon
Law enforcement has declined to offer a definitive motive at this time, citing ongoing investigation. Deputies are working with multiple agencies, including Montgomery County, to piece together her movements, mental health history, and possible triggers.
Child Protective Services is now involved to secure the two surviving children and determine their long-term care. A civil court will later decide on custody once they are released and stabilized.
Community Reaction & Next Steps
Sheriff Bo Stallman called the act a “senseless tragedy” and affirmed his office’s resolve to seek justice on behalf of the children. The small community of Angleton, located about 45 miles south of Houston, is reeling from the shock of the incident.
As the legal case proceeds, questions remain about Romelus’s mental state, her access to firearms, her recent life circumstances (including a move from Georgia to Texas), and whether any prior interventions or warning signs were overlooked.
Her next court appearance has not yet been publicly scheduled. Prosecutors and defense teams are expected to engage in mental health evaluations, evidentiary hearings, and motions over admissibility of her statements.
