Mother accused in children deaths told investigators they're 'with the devil,'

Mother accused in children deaths told investigators they're 'with the devil,'

Court documents filed in Brazoria County, Texas, detail chilling statements made by Oninda Romelus, a 31-year-old woman accused of shooting her four children, killing two. In an interview with investigators, Romelus stated that her children were "with the devil" and that she killed them to prevent them from killing her. 

Key details from the investigation:

• The incident: Romelus is accused of shooting her four children in a vehicle before driving to a gas station in Angleton early on Saturday, October 4, 2025.
• Victims: Romelus's 13-year-old son and 3-year-old daughter were killed, while her 8-year-old and 9-year-old children survived and were transported to a hospital.
• Romelus's statements:
• Charges: Romelus is charged with two counts of murder and two counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. She is being held on a $14 million bond.
• Child Protective Services (CPS): Texas CPS confirmed that they had a prior interaction with Romelus but could not provide details due to confidentiality laws.
• Past legal issues: Romelus has a prior 2022 conviction in Fayette County, Georgia, for driving under the influence of drugs. She also appeared on the reality TV show Paternity Court about a decade ago. 

Episode Transcript

(00:00):
The tragic case of Onenda Ramelis In the early morning
hours of Saturday, October 4th, 2025, a chilling tragedy
unfolded in Brazoria County, Texas, near the small city of
Angleton. Just before 4:45 AM, deputies
from the Brazoria County Sheriff's Office received a
frantic call about a woman parked at a local gas station.

(00:23):
When officers arrived, they found a Gray SUV sitting idly
under the fluorescent lights. Inside they made a horrifying
discovery. Four young children, all
suffering from gunshot wounds. The driver was identified as 31
year old Oninda Ramelis, a mother of four who lived in
Porter, TX. 2 of her children, 13 year old Ocario Covington and

(00:47):
three-year old Amora Chappelle were already dead.
The other two, ages 8 and nine, were rushed to the hospital in
critical condition but miraculously survived the
investigation. At first, investigators
struggled to understand what hadhappened or even where the
shooting occurred. The gas station was not an

(01:07):
active crime scene. It appeared Romulus had driven
there after the incident. Her demeanor, however, was
immediately alarming to deputies.
When questioned, Romulus began making disturbing and incoherent
statements. She reportedly told
investigators that her children were with the devil and that she
feared they were going to kill her.

(01:27):
In chilling words recorded in the police affidavit, she
allegedly confessed. Instead of them doing it to me,
I'm going to do it to them. She also admitted to calling the
devil instead of 911 after the shooting, claiming that she had
been hearing voices and believedsomething evil had taken over
her children. Evidence and background
Detectives later searched Romulus's home in Porter and

(01:48):
uncovered a trove of unusual items, ammunition, electronics
and several fraudulent documents, including fake IDs
and Social Security cards. Authorities have not stated
whether these materials are connected to the shooting, but
they painted a picture of a lifesurrounded by instability and
chaos. What made the case even more
sensational was Romulus's past. She had once appeared as a

(02:12):
contestant on the reality TV show Paternity Court.
In those episodes, she discussedcomplicated family issues and
disputes involving her children's fathers.
Investigators believe the shootings were intentional and
carried out by Romulus herself while the children were inside
the vehicle. Charges and legal proceedings.
Romulus was charged with two counts of murder and two counts

(02:34):
of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon.
Her bond was set at $14 million and she remains in custody as
she awaits trial. The surviving children are under
medical care and have been placed under the supervision of
Child Protective Services while the investigation continues.
Community and aftermath The tragedy has left the Angleton
and Porter communities shaken. Many have struggled to

(02:57):
understand how a mother someone once seen on national television
fighting for her family could commit such an unimaginable act.
Mental health experts have sincespeculated that Romulus may have
been experiencing a severe psychotic episode or delusions
rooted in paranoia and fear. Still, prosecutors have made it
clear that they will pursue justice for the two children

(03:19):
whose lives were lost. As of now, no motive beyond her
own words has been confirmed.