HARROWING details have emerged after a mom allegedly left her children alone in a trash-filled home to take a cruise.
Two children, an eight-year-old boy and a six-year-old girl, were found abandoned in their Houston, Texas home.
5
5
5
Lakesha Woods Williams, 29, has since been charged with abandonment with intent to return after an investigation was launched into how the children came to be left alone.
Neighbors told authorities that they saw Williams leave her home with luggage and without her children, on April 4, reported ABC Houston affiliate KTRK.
When they realized she had not returned, they contacted the police at Harris County Constable’s Office to conduct a wellness check at her luxury highrise apartment.
Upon arriving at William’s apartment, on April 9, police found the two siblings alone and in filthy squalor.
Police noted that the apartment had a distinct stench of urine.
Reports also described garbage consisting partly of left-over food the children attempted to prepare for themselves littering the home.
In total, the kids spent about five days alone in the apartment.
The children told authorities at the scene that their mother had left to go on a cruise but would be returning.
Williams showed some foresight, as officers found web cameras set up around the apartment.
The mother used the web cameras to check in on the kids, also leaving behind a cell phone to communicate with the eight-year-old.
After firefighters on the scene deemed the children to be in good physical health, Child Protective Services handed them over to their aunt’s custody.
Authorities also reported that when they first contacted Williams, the absent mother kept changing her story as to where she was.
“Deputies tried contacting the Defendant to make the scene, but she was not cooperating and was switching up her story on her whereabouts,” read official documents.
For them to provide for themselves, feed themselves, take care of themselves, as well as, what if somebody breaks in? What if there’s a bad neighbor? Any number of horror, nightmare scenarios that could come up.”
Keegan Childers, Chief Prosecutor
Their mother returned from her Puerto Rican cruise on April 10, initially trying to hide her identity from authorities – she was brought into custody the next day.
“These children were left unattended for many days and put in harm’s way,” said Keegan Childers, the chief prosecutor of the 209th District Court.
He went on to outline the potential dangers of children so young being left home alone.
“For them to provide for themselves, feed themselves, take care of themselves, as well as, what if somebody breaks in? What if there’s a bad neighbor? Any number of horror, nightmare scenarios that could come up.”
MOTHER’S PATH FORWARD
William’s bond was set at $25,000 with a mandated GPS ankle monitor and curfew.
The magistrate handling her bond noted that the bond amount is higher than typical due to allegations that similar instances have been reported in William’s past.
She is set to appear in court on Monday at 9 am before Judge Brian Warren.
Charged with child abandonment with intent to return, Williams faces a potential felony-level conviction which typically comes with 180 days to two years in a state facility as punishment.
In accordance with Texas Penal Code § 22.041, a person will be charged with abandonment if they “intentionally abandons the child in any place under circumstances that expose the child to an unreasonable risk of harm.”
5
5
Credit Gist New Today News in Newspaper Nigeria Headlines
