Texas Mother Arrested for Child Abandonment: Leaves Kids Home Alone for Cruise Trip

Texas mother arrested child abandonment leaves kids home alone cruise trip Lakesha Woods Williams

By E.Baloyo , Parent Herald Apr 13, 06:18 am

Photo: (Photo : Alex Bierens de Haan /Getty Images)

A Texas mother was arrested due to alleged child abandonment neglect after she leaves kids home alone to go on a cruise trip.

The woman, Lakesha Woods Williams, 29, left her two young children at home, a 6-year-old girl and an 8-year-old son, in their apartment in Huston for a vacation trip on April 4. It was alleged that the 29-year-old mother, who was subjected to abandoning her children alone earlier this month, had previously done this.

Authorities have confirmed that Williams is now charged and is arrested on a $25,000 bond.

Texas Mother Arrested for Child Abandonment Allegations

On April 9, authorities from the Harris County Precinct 5 Constable's Office responded to a welfare check at a luxury high rise in the Memorial City area. Concerned neighbors had reported unattended children in the vicinity.

Upon receiving a call for service, deputies conducted a wellness check the following Tuesday. A witness informed them about the residents' worries regarding two children left unsupervised in one of the units.

According to the witness, neighbors had observed Lakesha Woods Williams leaving the premises with bags and luggage but hadn't seen her return.

Williams' charging document revealed that many residents had expressed recurring concerns about similar incidents in the past, indicating a pattern of neglect. He adds in the charging document, "Many of the residents were worried about the children and have said this is not the first time that something like this has occurred."

During the check, deputies discovered Williams' 6-year-old daughter and 8-year-old son alone in the apartment, which was described as being in disarray.

The children informed deputies that they had been without adult supervision since April 4, with their mother on a cruise. They were unsure about her return date.

Police Investigation Hands a Temporary Custody

Deputies observed signs of neglect in the apartment, including a strong smell of urine and evidence that the children had tried to cook for themselves.

Additionally, they discovered a webcam that Lakesha Woods Williams had used to monitor her children and a phone her 8-year-old son used to stay in touch with her during her absence. These items were confiscated by the deputies.

The apartment was described as being in a chaotic state, with trash and leftover food scattered throughout and a "very potent smell of urine" inside.

The absence of any adults to supervise the children since Williams' departure further emphasized the neglectful situation. The report documents, "No adults were present supervising the juveniles, and none appeared to have been present since the defendant's departure."

Williams had left for Miami five days before boarding a cruise to Puerto Rico, as per information provided by the deputies. However, when contacted by deputies, she was uncooperative and provided conflicting accounts of her whereabouts.

During her appearance before a magistrate on Friday afternoon, it was noted that Williams would face a higher-than-usual bond due to previous allegations of similar circumstances. If she posts the $25,000 bond, she will be required to wear a GPS ankle monitor and follow a curfew.

As a result of the incident, Williams' children are now under the care of her sister, and a protective order has been issued to prevent Williams from contacting or being near her daughter and son.

Williams is scheduled to return to court on April 15 at 9 a.m. for further proceedings before Judge Brian Warren.