Kelli Marie Bryant, Pontiac, Michigan mom arrested abandoning 3 children for years in excrement filled home. Parent made weekly fast food drop-offs as children lived in squalor and landlord who hadn’t received rent asked for welfare check.
A Michigan mother was arrested on Friday for allegedly abandoning her children for several years, leaving them in deplorable conditions, according to the Oakland County Sheriff’s Department.
The mom who was not officially identified by police was id on social media as Kelli Marie Bryant, 34 of Pontiac. The parent is alleged to have deserted her three children, a 15-year-old boy and two daughters ages 12 and 13, for approximately four to five years, ‘leaving them to live alone in absolute squalor,’ officials said.
‘Throughout my extensive career in this field, I have never encountered a scenario as dire and prolonged as this one, involving abandonment, neglect and abuse of the highest order,’ Sheriff Michael J. Bouchard said in a statement, WXYZ reported.
Bathtub and toilets overflowing with human excrement
The children were discovered on Friday afternoon, when deputies received a call from a landlord to perform a welfare check at a house in the 600 block of Lydia Lane. The landlord was concerned about the residents, since he had not heard from the mother since December and had not received rent since October.
Hadn’t received rent since October but had yet to inquire as to why or when it would be paid?
When deputies arrived on the scene, they found the three children in the home alone living in what they decried as ‘horrific conditions.’ In some rooms of the house, garbage was piled as high as four feet, along with mold and human feces found throughout the residence. The bathtub and toilets were overflowing with human excrement, with authorities saying the mother failing to leave any toilet paper or personal hygiene products according to ABC News.
‘It appeared that the children were unfamiliar with how to use personal hygiene items or know how to flush a toilet,’ the sheriff’s department said.
Pontiac mom had not seen her daughters for years
The boy told authorities that he and his two sisters had been living alone since 2020 or 2021, and that the three of them survived on prepared food their mother or a stranger would deliver once a week. He told authorities he had been in contact with his mother, but it appeared ‘she had not seen the girls in years.’
The children had not attended school since their abandonment, passing time by watching television and playing games. When discovered, the children were wearing soiled clothing, had matted hair and toenails several inches long — making it challenging to walk. The boy slept on a mattress while the two girls slept on pizza boxes, officials said.
The scene was processed by an evidence technician wearing a HAZMAT suit.
The childrens’ mother was found at another location and arrested without incident, officials said. She told authorities the father of the children was not involved in their lives.
But there’s more.
Neighbors were not aware of the children’s living conditions and told authorities they only saw the mother dropping things off at the house.
‘This is right in our neighborhood, how could something like this happen?’ Asked local resident, Emma Gross.
Where were relatives, friends, neighbors, school officials, church groups, child and welfare advocates?
Not immediately clear is how school teachers, former schools, social advocacy groups, relatives or just friends were unaware of the unfolding drama and failed to step in?
Bryant remains held at Oakland County Jail as prosecutors file charges against the mother.
The children have been placed in the custody of a relative by Child Protective Services.
