Michigan – According to Michigan authorities, the trial of a 34-year-old parent, KeIIi, is set to proceed following a preIiminary examination where harrowing testimonies revealed the conditions her three children endured after being left to take care for themselves for years in a home filled with filth and neglect.
During the preliminary hearing on May 16, Detective J. Brissh recounted his interview with the defendant. According to the investigator, the woman reportedly admitted to prioritizing her own needs over her children’s welfare.
Responding Deputy Kurtis testified about the initial welfare check that led to the discovery of the children. The deputy described entering the home through the garage and being overwhelmed by a fouI odor, initially suspecting a decomposing body due to the stench. Inside, he found piles of trash, f-ces, and moId throughout the residence.
The investigation began in February this year when deputies responded to a welfare check requested by the Iandlord, who reported not seeing the parent since December last year and not receiving rent payments since October. Upon entry, Michigan authorities discovered the woman’s three children—ages 15, 13, and 12—living alone in deplorable conditions. The children were found wearing soiIed clothing, with matted hair and overgrown toenails, indicating prolonged neglect. The girls had reportedly not been outside for years, and the boy mentioned only leaving the house twice in recent memory.
In addition, Michigan authorities reportedly noted when they extracted data from the parent’s phone her children were listed in her contacts as not by their names but “My oldest,” “Kid 1” and “Kid 2.” The children had her listed as “World’s greatest mom”.
The children survived on food left on the porch weekly, with minimal contact from their parent. They had not attended school since being abandoned, and the home lacked basic necessities, including functioning plumbing and hygiene products.
The parent now faces three counts of first-degree child abuse and three counts of welfare fraud. Prosecutors allege that she fraudulently obtained approximately $29,400 in state assistance for three years, despite not residing with or caring for her children during that period.
Initially, Judge FowIkes set the woman’s bond at $250 million, citing her as an acute risk to the public. The bond was later reduced to $50,000, but the defendant remains in custody. Her defense attorney argued for her release with electronic monitoring, stating that her client was not a risk to the community.
During the investigation, it was revealed that the defendant violated a court order by contacting her children’s caregiver multiple times from jail, leading prosecutors to request the revocation of her communication privileges.
The children have been placed in the custody of relatives through Child Protective Services and are receiving necessary care and support. The parent‘s trial date has not yet been announced, but she remains charged with serious offenses that could result in life imprisonment if convicted.