In a deeply troubling case from Pontiac, Michigan, Kelli Marie Bryant, 34, has been arrested and charged with three counts of first-degree child abuse. Authorities allege that Bryant abandoned her three children—aged 15, 13, and 12—leaving them to fend for themselves in deplorable conditions for several years.
Discovery of the Children
The situation came to light on February 14, 2025, when the landlord of the property on Lydia Lane requested a welfare check. He expressed concern after not hearing from Bryant since December and receiving no rent payments since October 2024. Upon entering the residence, deputies were confronted with a scene of squalor: garbage piled up to four feet high in some areas, pervasive mold, and human waste throughout the home. The toilet was non-functional, and feces were found in the bathtub. 
Condition of the Children
The three children were found wearing soiled clothing, with matted hair and toenails so overgrown that walking was difficult. The two girls appeared not to have been outside for years, sleeping on pizza boxes, while the boy slept on a mattress on the floor. They had not attended school since their mother’s departure, which is believed to have occurred between 2020 and 2021. The children survived on food deliveries left on the porch by their mother or an unknown individual, but lacked basic hygiene supplies such as toilet paper, soap, or shampoo. 
Legal Proceedings
Bryant was arrested on February 14 and formally charged on February 19 with three counts of first-degree child abuse, each carrying a potential life sentence. During her arraignment on February 20, Judge Ronda Fowlkes Gross set an extraordinary bond of $250 million, citing Bryant as an “acute risk” to the public. The judge also prohibited any contact between Bryant and her children or any minors under 18. 
Community and Family Reactions
The case has shocked the local community and raised questions about how such severe neglect could go unnoticed for so long. Bryant’s former sister-in-law, Charlene Bryant, expressed disbelief, stating, “I’m kind of shocked it’s this horrific. I’m devastated.” She noted that she hadn’t been in contact with the family since around 2020 and was under the impression that the children were living with their grandmother. 
Support for the Children
Following their rescue, the children were taken to a hospital for evaluation and have since been placed in the custody of a relative. They are receiving support from organizations like the Oakland County CARE House, a child advocacy center that provides a safe space for children who have experienced abuse and trauma. Tricia Schuster, Vice President of CARE House, emphasized the importance of giving these children an opportunity to talk about their experiences in a comfortable setting. 
This case underscores the critical need for community awareness and timely intervention in situations of child neglect and abuse. Authorities continue to investigate how these children were left in such conditions for an extended period and are urging anyone with information or suspicions of child abuse to come forward.
