Texas Mother Arrested After Allegedly Leaving Children, 6 and 8, Alone To Go On A Cruise

A woman in Texas was arrested for allegedly leaving two young children alone and faces a charge of abandoning a child with intent to return.

The children are 6 and 8 

The 29-year-old woman named Lakesha Woods Williams reportedly left an 8-year-old son and 6-year-old daughter on April 4 in their apartment in Houston, KTRK-TV initially reported. According to sources, neighbors were concerned about the children, so deputies from the Harris County Constable’s Office made a wellness check. 

The woman was reportedly spotted with her bags 

One witness stated that other residents spotted Williams with her bags, leaving the apartment, but did not see her return. Deputies found the children in a trashed apartment with the smell of urine, a criminal complaint says. It was the children who told the police about the mom’s whereabouts.

The children’s confession 

The complaint alleged that the children told officers that the mom had left on a cruise, and they did not know when she intended to return home. Adults did not supervise children, according to initial reports, though it is reported that Williams talked to her children by using a video camera. The boy also texted the mother. 

Children are reportedly with their aunt

Child Protective Services made sure the children were in decent condition. They are now reportedly put in their aunt’s care. Williams did not cooperate with law enforcement and kept changing her story, the complaint stated, and KHOU-TV reported. 

Children were alone for five days 

The papers say the mom left on April 4, while the wellness check was conducted on April 9. Neighbors reportedly told officers that this was not the first time the mother left the children alone without adults present. The mother returned from the cruise on April 10. 

Details are still unclear

Williams was booked into Harris County Jail on a $25,000 bond, according to jail records. She is charged with abandoning a child with intent to return. Williams is expected to return to court on Monday, April 15. 

Williams’ whereabouts revealed 

Initially, it was not known where Williams went, but according to records, the 29-year-old mother had flown to Miami five days prior and boarded a cruise to Puerto Rico. She will remain in custody, the court confirmed. 

The no-contact order

The magistrate issued a protective order that prevented Williams from communicating with or being near her daughter and son if she made bail. Even if she gets out of custody, she still has to wear a GPS ankle monitor and respect the curfew. 

Many scenarios 

Keegan Childers, Chief Prosecutor, asked what would have happened with the kids if someone broke in or if there was a bad neighbor. There are other questions about the children’s lives during their mother’s cruise trip, including how they feed and provide for themselves.  

Similar incidents? 

The magistrate said the bond was high due to similar instances that have been reported in William’s past. It was not elaborated on what happened or when. If the allegations are truthful, Williams faces jail time from 180 days to two years. 

Putting the case together 

Constable Ted Heap shared on Facebook that they are gathering information and looking into circumstances that led to the children being left unsupervised. Heap noted that the most important thing was that they were safe, and those responsible should face accountability. 

The luxury apartment area 

Though many details are still unrevealed, sources found that the McKinley high-rise, where Williams and her children lived, is a luxury apartment complex in Houston’s Memorial City district. The monthly rent for a two-bedroom apartment ranges from $2,500 to over $8,000. 

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