A Houston man expected to stand trial this week on kidnapping charges left court Tuesday and did not return.

Judge Ron Ware issued a bench warrant for Kendal Tremayne Runnels, 34, and ordered his bond revoked, according to a deputy clerk of court.

Runnels left the Calcasieu Correctional Center on $70,000 bond on Feb. 8.

Authorities said Runnels held his girlfriend’s children, 6 and 7 years old, hostage for 3 1/2 hours at her home on McNabb Street in August 2012.

Runnels was in court on Monday, showed up late Tuesday, around 3 p.m., then left again, the deputy clerk said.

Runnels’ defense attorney and the District Attorney’s Office declined to comment.

After an argument with his girlfriend, Runnels fired a gun once outside the house and once inside the house, then took the children hostage when the woman went to call the police, authorities said.

Authorities said the situation ended peacefully when Runnels released the children, then came out of the home himself.

(MGNonline)