Crime
34-year-old Kelli Bryant, Pontiac Mother Arrested for Abandoning Three Children Who Lived in Squalor for Years
The 15-year-old boy told investigators that he and his sisters had been living alone in the home since either 2020 or 2021.
A Pontiac woman has been arrested after authorities discovered she had abandoned her three children for years, leaving them to survive in deplorable conditions with only occasional food drop-offs.
Deputies from the Oakland County Sheriff’s Office took 34-year-old Kelli Bryant into custody on Friday. She is currently being held in the Oakland County Jail, with detectives expected to present the case to prosecutors in the coming days.
According to Sheriff Michael Bouchard, the conditions in which the children were forced to live were “unconscionable.”
Authorities revealed that the children—a 15-year-old boy and two girls, ages 12 and 13—were living in absolute filth inside a residence on the 600 block of Lydia Lane in Pontiac.
They had been surviving solely on prepared meals their mother or an unknown individual would occasionally leave on the front porch.
“This is one of the most severe cases of neglect and abandonment I have seen in my career,” Bouchard said. “The conditions were so inhumane that they wouldn’t even be acceptable for an animal, let alone three children. These kids were denied basic human interaction, had no access to education, and suffered years of neglect. The consequences of this level of abuse are immeasurable.”
Investigators described the living conditions inside the home as appalling.
Photographs from the scene revealed garbage piled up to four feet high in several rooms, along with extensive mold, human waste, and feces scattered throughout the house.
The toilet was overflowing, and feces were found in the bathtub.
The children were found in soiled clothing, their hair matted, and their toenails grown several inches long, making it difficult for them to walk.
They did not know how to use basic hygiene items or even flush a toilet. The girls had reportedly not left the home in years, and none of the children had attended school since their mother abandoned them.
The 15-year-old boy told investigators that he and his sisters had been living alone in the home since either 2020 or 2021.
They relied on weekly food drop-offs but were given no toilet paper or hygiene products. While the mother maintained some communication with the boy, authorities believe she had not physically seen the girls in years.
The children were taken to a hospital for evaluation and have since been placed in the custody of a relative by Child Protective Services.
An evidence technician wearing a HAZMAT suit processed the scene due to the unsanitary conditions.
Authorities located Bryant at another residence and arrested her without incident. She reportedly told investigators that the children’s father was not involved in their lives.
Disturbingly, police discovered that while her children lived in squalor, Bryant had been active on Facebook, livestreaming food giveaways to others in need.
Neighbors told deputies they had no idea children were living in the home, as they never saw them outside.
Residents only noticed Bryant occasionally dropping off supplies but were unaware of the extent of the neglect.
Bryant remains in custody without bond as the investigation continues.
Prosecutors are expected to announce formal charges soon.
Crime
Security guard Yahaira Melendez charged with murder after shooting inside IHOP restaurant in Center City Philadelphia
PHILADELPHIA, PA — A security guard has been arrested and charged with murder following a fatal shooting at a Center City IHOP over the weekend that left a 43-year-old man dead.
The incident occurred shortly after 11 p.m. on Saturday at the IHOP located in the 1300 block of Walnut Street, according to the Philadelphia Police Department.
When officers arrived, they discovered a man suffering from a gunshot wound to the head. The victim, who police say was unhoused, was transported to Jefferson Hospital, where he was later pronounced deceased.
Investigators report that the victim had been causing a disturbance inside the restaurant prior to the shooting. As security personnel escorted him outside, he allegedly turned and spat on one of the guards.
That guard, identified as 38-year-old Yahaira Melendez, allegedly responded by drawing her firearm and shooting the victim once in the head.
Police say preliminary findings indicate the victim was not armed at the time of the incident.
Melendez, a mother of three, was taken into custody and has been charged with murder and related offenses.
In a statement Melendez’s family expressed shock and disbelief over the situation, writing in part:
“We are shocked and devastated by the tragic events that occurred at the IHOP while she was working security. We know she would never harm anyone unless she felt she had no other choice to protect herself or others.”
The shooting has left nearby workers and residents shaken.
“Escalation — where was the escalation?” asked Karr Anderson, who works next door to the restaurant. “Security guards need to know how to withhold, how to show restraint.”
Philadelphia Police continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the shooting, including whether proper security protocols were followed and what led to the use of deadly force.
Authorities have not yet released the identity of the deceased pending family notification.