A Houston mother and her daughter were startled around 4 a.m. when a man fell through the ceiling of a neighboring apartment, briefly hanging above their unit. "When I turned the light on, there was a man hanging from the attic, holding on to the beam so that he wouldn’t fall all the way through to our apartment," Malone said, according to FOX 26 Houston.
The Harris County Sheriff’s Office arrested the man on suspicion of criminal mischief, noting he appeared intoxicated. Maintenance later patched the ceiling, but Malone said the incident left her feeling unsafe in the apartment.
Tenant Wants Answers From Management
Malone, who says she has lived in the complex for about two years, told reporters she wants the property to explain how someone was able to get into the attic and why her ceiling was not better secured. She said staff repaired the visible hole, but she still does not feel comfortable returning to normal routines inside the apartment.
Legal Note: What 'Criminal Mischief' Can Mean
Under Texas law, criminal mischief generally covers intentional or knowing damage to another person’s tangible property. The severity of the offense depends on the amount of financial loss and other circumstances, according to Texas statutes. Depending on the value involved and whether a home or other habitation is affected, the case can range from a misdemeanor to a felony.
Because the sheriff’s office told reporters its incident report was still unfinished, it was not yet clear what level of charge, if any, prosecutors might ultimately pursue in this case.
Next Steps
A reporter said they sent a message through the apartment company’s website, and phone calls to property management were disconnected. Officials said they will release more details once the investigation progresses and paperwork is complete.
