SPRING, Texas — Dr. Candice Matthews wears many hats in her community from being an activist, to State Chair of the Texas Coalition of Black Democrats.
"I’m also a provider with the Texas Department of Health and Human Services and I also have a contract with DFPS as a child-placing agency," said Dr. Matthews.
This is why finding a handwritten letter and rope tied into a noose in her mailbox came as a surprise Sunday morning.
The letter had references to both the Department of Family Protective Services and Health and Human Services.
"Dr. Candice Matthews, stay out of our business with DFPS and HHSC ‘N-word’. If you don't, we will use this rope and drag you like James Byrd," the letter read.
"F-you N-word and N-word providers, you have been warned N-word," read the remainder of the letter.
Dr. Matthews believes this is a result of her recent work.
"I’ve been exposing, doing exposés HHSC and DFPS for over a month and a half in reference to dealing with crimes against children, and how I was able to find out about it was because the children were reaching out to me via social media," said Dr. Matthews.
A motive has yet to be determined.
"My family is very upset behind this, this is unacceptable and I feel some kind of way about it and I’m highly pissed off," she said.
Matthews said she will continue to fight for justice and equality for all.
"I want people to do right by children, I want people to do right by the providers who are helping these kids, level the playing field and cut the racist crap," said Dr. Matthews.
We reached out to the Harris County Sheriff's Office and they sent us the following statement.
"We received the call for service on Sunday, April 28, 2024 at around 09:50 a.m., in north Harris County. Dr. Matthews stated she found a threatening letter and a length of rope in her mailbox that morning. The letter and rope were collected for evidence and processing. The case has now been taken over by our Crimes Against Persons, Violent Crimes Unit for investigation. We urge anyone with information to contact our Violent Crimes Unit at 713-274-9100."