A Texas mother suspected of shooting her four children, killing two of them, appeared on a reality TV show to determine the paternity of one of the victims.
Oninda Romelus, 31, was detained by Brazoria County officials early Saturday, Oct. 4, after reportedly shooting her four children, killing her adolescent son and toddler daughter, according to a statement from the sheriff’s office.
Police did not release the children’s names, but KHOU 11 identified them as 13-year-old O’Karreo Covington and 3-year-old Amourra Chapell.
Two of Romelus’ other children, an 8-year-old boy and a 9-year-old girl, survived the shooting and are in stable condition, according to the sheriff’s office.
Law enforcement police responding to a report of a gunshot discovered Romelus and her children in a vehicle where they believe the shooting occurred.
Romelus was detained at the spot, according to police.
Romelus was a contestant on Paternity Court, a court TV series that dealt with all aspects of family life, from paternity questions to DNA stories.
The series’ last episode aired on YouTube more than a year ago, and the website was inaccessible as of Tuesday, October 7.
Oninda Romelus, 31, has been arrested for reportedly shooting her four small children.
KHOU 11 / YouTube
According to KHOU 11, Romelus revealed to the host in a nearly 12-year-old show that she was associated with two males at the same time.
Her lover, Dewayne Seymore, claimed she had sexual relations with another guy, Jeremy Covington, at the same time she conceived O’Karreo, which Romelus accepted.
Neither of the males turned out to be the father of 18-month-old O’Karreo.
Romelus of Montgomery County was the one who contacted 911 and “appeared paranoid” during her police interrogation, according to court documents quoted by KHOU 11.
According to court filings, she allegedly informed officers that she called 911 because “instead of them doing it to me, I’m going to do it to them.”
When pressed to clarify what she meant by “do it to them,” she allegedly responded, “kill them all.”
She also claimed her children were dead to her and were “with the devil,” at one point saying, “’cause you can’t take me without me taking you,” according to investigators, KHOU 11.
Child Protective Services told KHOU 11 that they are investigating the matter and working to assure the well-being and safety of the remaining children.
Romelus was charged with two charges of murder and two counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, according to the sheriff’s office statement. She is being jailed under a $14 million bond.
Plea and attorney information were not found in online court records for Brazoria or Montgomery County.
If you suspect child abuse, contact the Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline at 1-800-4-A-Child or 1-800-422-4453.
