Texas Mother Describes Losing 3 Sons Who Fell Through Icy Pond During Winter Storm
In Bonham, Texas, mother Cheyenne Hangaman says her three sons—9‑year‑old EJ Doss, 8‑year‑old Kaleb Doss and 6‑year‑old Howard Doss—fell through the ice on a frozen pond during a winter storm after Howard fell in and his brothers went in to help; Hangaman attempted a rescue but says her body "locked up" from the cold and a neighbor pulled her from the water. First responders recovered the children and the older boys later died at a hospital; the Fannin County Sheriff’s Office is investigating, Bonham ISD called the deaths an "unimaginable loss," and the family has shared memories of the boys and urged other parents to be vigilant around ice.
📌 Key Facts
- The victims were three brothers who were Bonham ISD students: 6-year-old Howard Doss, 8-year-old Kaleb Doss and 9-year-old EJ Doss.
- According to the family, Howard fell through the ice first and his older brothers, EJ and Kaleb, went into the frozen pond trying to help him.
- Mother Cheyenne Hangaman gave an on-camera account saying she jumped into the pond to try to rescue them but her body "locked up" from the cold; she said, "There was three of them and only one of me."
- A neighbor heard screams, helped pull Hangaman from the water and assisted first responders who retrieved the older boys; the children were taken to a hospital and later died.
- A local high school football coach also attempted to help during the rescue efforts.
- The family shared personal details about each boy (EJ wanted to be a football star, Kaleb loved to dance and sing, Howard liked making people laugh) and Hangaman urged other parents to be vigilant around ice.
- Bonham ISD Superintendent Dr. Lance Hamlin described the deaths as an "unimaginable loss" in a letter to parents and outlined support efforts for the community.
- The Fannin County Sheriff’s Office is investigating the incident; authorities have not indicated whether any charges will be filed.
- News reports linked the pond tragedy to broader winter-storm coverage, noting a separate storm-related fatality in North Texas: the sledding death of 16-year-old Elizabeth Angle in Frisco.
📰 Source Timeline (3)
Follow how coverage of this story developed over time
January 28, 2026
1:01 AM
Mother describes losing 3 sons in frozen North Texas pond: "I couldn't help them"
New information:
- Mother Cheyenne Hangaman gives a detailed on‑camera account of watching her three sons fall through the ice and her failed attempts to pull them out, saying, "There was three of them and only one of me."
- The boys are identified by name as 6‑year‑old Howard Doss, 8‑year‑old Kaleb Doss and 9‑year‑old EJ Doss, all students in Bonham ISD.
- Hangaman describes individual details about each child (EJ wanted to be a football star, Kaleb loved to dance and sing, Howard liked making people laugh) and urges other parents to be vigilant around ice.
- A neighbor’s role is clarified: he heard screams, helped pull the mother from the water, and assisted first responders who retrieved the older boys before they died at the hospital.
- Authorities say the Fannin County Sheriff’s Office investigation is ongoing and have not indicated whether any charges will be filed.
12:43 AM
Young brothers die after trying desperately to help each other in icy pond during winter storm: report
New information:
- Mother Cheyenne Hangaman recounts that her youngest son Howard fell through the ice first and his older brothers EJ and Kaleb went in after him to help.
- Hangaman describes attempting a rescue herself, saying she jumped into the pond but her body 'locked up' from the cold and she had to be pulled out by a neighbor; a local high school football coach also tried to help.
- Family provides more personal detail about each boy’s personality and interests, and confirms their names and ages.
- Bonham ISD Superintendent Dr. Lance Hamlin’s letter to parents is quoted, describing the deaths as an 'unimaginable loss' and outlining support efforts.
- The piece links this incident to a second, separate winter‑storm fatality in North Texas: the sledding death of 16‑year‑old Wakeland High School student Elizabeth Angle in Frisco.
January 27, 2026