Governor Greg Abbott Wednesday directed the Texas Department of Public Safety and the Texas Rangers to immediately investigate allegations of child abuse and neglect inside the federally run unaccompanied minor facility at the Freeman Coliseum in San Antonio.
In a news conference outside of the facility the Governor announced that two state agencies (Health and Human Services and Family and Protective Services) received complaints Wednesday morning that included allegations of sexual assault, a shortage of staff to properly supervise the children inside the facility, and that some children in the facility are not eating throughout the day.
The complaints also allege that children that have tested positive for COVID-19 are not being physically separated from children who have tested negative.
During the press conference, the Governor demanded that President Biden shut down the facility to stop any further abuse and move these children to federally run facilities in other states where the federal government has the space, personnel, and resources to ensure their safety.
"Now we are faced with our worst fears—allegations of child abuse and neglect,” said Governor Abbott. “I am calling on the Biden administration to close this facility, and I am directing the DPS and the Texas Rangers to immediately begin investigating these allegations.”
Texas Senior Senator John Cornyn released a statement shortly after Governor Abbott News Conference calling for a federal investigation into the accusations as well saying, “The fact that any child would experience abuse in the care of the U.S. government is despicable. The HHS Inspector General must fully investigate these allegations and the treatment of children at this facility.”