Lakesha Woods Williams, a mom who left her children home alone to go on vacation, appeared before a judge on Monday.
The 29-year-old mom went on a cruise to Puerto Rico and left her 8- and 6-year-old kids to fend for themselves.
According to ABC 13, Williams was arrested last Thursday and hasn’t left jail since then.
Lakesha Woods Williams’ Charges
The courts have charged Williams with abandoning her kids with intent to return.
What’s worse is neighbors disclosed that this isn’t the first time Williams has done something like this.
On April 4, Williams’ neighbors saw her leave with bags and luggage, and she never returned.
Worried about the kids, who remained in the apartment for at least five days, the residents called the authorities.
When the authorities intervened, the kids revealed they had no idea when their mom would return.
The Harris County Precinct 5 Constable’s Office deputies went to the apartment last Tuesday and were horrified to find it stank of urine, was littered with leftover food, and was in shambles.
They found a cell phone and a web camera the children claimed their mom used to check in on them.
The deputies called Williams, but she lied about where she was.
On Monday, a judge reviewed Lakesha Woods Williams’ bond and refused to lower it from $25,000, concluding that the circumstances were “egregious.”
Williams’ children are staying with her sister, and she’s not allowed to communicate with or be near them.
Assistant District Attorney Keegan Childers said:
“We take these child abuse cases very seriously. Even if you’re acting negligently, it’s not an excuse.”