Mother accused of faking daughter (Photo: Williamson County Sheriff's Office)
Authorities in Williamson County say the mother of an 8-year-old Round Rock girl who was reported missing last week has been arrested, along with another woman, after investigators concluded the pair “conspired to hide the child” in an effort to avoid a court-ordered custody arrangement. The case, which began as a frantic search for a supposed runaway, has now become a criminal investigation involving multiple felony charges.
According to the Williamson County Sheriff’s Office, Cailin Larissa Doyle, 43, was taken into custody Saturday night in connection with the disappearance of her daughter, Cadence Doyle. Doyle had initially reported the child missing on Dec. 5, telling authorities that her daughter had run away.
The report triggered an extensive emergency response that involved Round Rock police, county deputies, state agencies, the Texas Rangers, and even the FBI. Cadence was found safely on Saturday afternoon, but what investigators uncovered next dramatically shifted the case. Officials say a second woman, Karinna Ann Robertson, 36, was also arrested after evidence showed she worked with Doyle to conceal the child.
Their intention, according to the sheriff’s office, was to keep Cadence hidden to avoid compliance with an existing shared custody agreement between Doyle and the girl’s father. Investigators believe Robertson’s role escalated on Saturday when she allegedly abandoned Cadence at a gas station near I-35 and Old Settlers Boulevard in Round Rock.
Authorities say the child was left there without any intent from Robertson to return. Cadence was located shortly afterward, unharmed, but the incident intensified the charges against both women. The false report prompted a large-scale mobilization of law enforcement resources, with dozens of personnel dedicating time and equipment to the search. Agencies deployed search teams, investigative units, and federal support under the assumption that a child was genuinely missing and potentially in danger.
Officials noted that such responses are not only costly but also divert critical resources from other emergencies. Doyle now faces a long list of charges. She has been charged with misdemeanor false report regarding a missing child, felony unlawful restraint, and felony interference with child custody. Robertson faces similarly serious counts, including felony interference with child custody, felony unlawful restraint, and felony abandoning a child without intent to return.
Authorities have not disclosed additional details about the custody dispute or the specific circumstances that led the women to allegedly stage the disappearance. The sheriff’s office emphasized that the investigation remains active and further information may be released as the case proceeds.
For now, officials say their focus is on ensuring Cadence’s safety and returning her to a stable environment while the legal process moves forward. The case has drawn local attention not only because it began as a high-risk missing child alert but also because of the extreme lengths investigators say were taken to avoid a custody ruling.
Both women remain in custody as prosecutors prepare formal charges. The sheriff’s office says more updates will be shared as the investigation develops.
