Mother of 1-year-old found abandoned in SW Houston reported missing, police said

HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) — Police are asking for the public’s help in finding 33-year-old Dana McGowan, the mother of the 1-year-old boy who was found alone at an apartment complex in southwest Houston.

Police shared a missing persons report regarding McGowan on Thursday afternoon, in the latest development of a mystery surrounding a baby found alone earlier in the week. McGowan was reported missing on July 7 by family members who haven’t been able to reach her. Police said she was last seen on July 5 in the area around South Drive and Wilcrest. She was possibly wearing a black tank top and black leggings.

“I saw that girl walking up and down the street full of sweat,” Tacorya Robinson, who knows McGowan and saw her the same day she went missing, said. “She was looking back and forth and scared. I called her name. I said, ‘Dana!’ She looked at me and she got scared. She took off walking.”

Robinson said it looked like McGowan may have been upset or in trouble. Later that day, the 12-month-old was found all alone in the same area.

“It affected me, because it’s like, I could’ve helped her. I could’ve helped that baby. You know what I’m saying?” Robinson said.

Her story about McGowan grew more troubling. She said the mom did not have a strong support system or secure housing.

“Dana didn’t have (anybody). Her family wasn’t there for her, you know what I’m saying? She didn’t have anybody to help her. She was staying from pillow to post. She was probably crying out for help, but nobody would help her. They were using her,” Robinson said.

McGowan is described as a Black woman with black hair and brown eyes. She’s 5 feet 10 inches tall, and weighs about 180 pounds.

Dana McGowan, 33, was reported missing by family members. Earlier the same week, her baby was found alone at a southwest Houston apartment complex.

During a press conference, investigators said they are hoping to find McGowan to get more information on why her baby was at the apartment complex alone.

“We don’t want to say that we’re trying to file a charge on the mom because we don’t even know,” said Sgt. R. Swope with the Houston Police Department. “There could be many possibilities.”

According to police, some residents have reported seeing McGowan in the area of 10300 S. Wilcrest in recent days.

The search for McGowan comes just days after her baby was found crying, abandoned near an iron fence at The Onyx apartment complex on Tuesday afternoon.

The baby appeared to have minor injuries to his mouth and was wearing only a diaper but is otherwise OK. He is in the custody of CPS, who reportedly have heard from the child’s father.

Anyone with information is urged to contact police at 832-394-1840.