For as long as she’s lived in Mountain City, Hays County Pct. 2 Justice of the Peace Beth Smith always felt neighbor Phillip Taylor was practically part of the family.

Taylor, who lived a few houses down, was a regular figure at the Smith household, always playing in their pool with their children, or going though similar activities such as Cub and Boy Scouts.

“I’ve been involved in his life since he was a small child,” Beth Smith said.

Even after they all graduated from H...