Inset: Kaneesha Williams (Shreveport Police Dept.). Background: The area where Williams' 3-year-old was allegedly found naked and alone during a rainstorm (Google Maps).
A mother in Louisiana has been arrested after her 3-year-old girl was found alone and "running naked in the street during a rain storm," until she was spotted by a bus driver who brought the child on board and called police. Kaneesha Williams was taken into custody on Tuesday and charged with multiple counts of criminal neglect of family, authorities announced.
According to a news release from the Shreveport Police Department, officers at about 5:30 p.m. on May 6, 2025, responded to a "distressing situation" about a young child who was found naked and alone near Sussex Avenue and Corbett Street, which is about 300 miles northwest of Baton Rouge. Police said that a school bus driver placed the initial 911 call after finding the child and taking them onto his bus until first responders arrived.
Following a preliminary investigation, police said the child indicated that she lived in a home located in the 5300 block of Sussex Avenue, more than a quarter-mile from where she was discovered. When they reached the home, police said the front door lacked a functioning doorknob, so they announced their presence.
Police then met the little girl's mother, who identified herself as Williams.
"Officers conducted a welfare check inside the home and were met with deplorable living conditions," the release states. "The residence had no furniture and was littered with trash. The kitchen appeared to have been uncleaned for an extended period, with dirty dishes piled throughout and no refrigerator or food in sight. Further investigation revealed that multiple children had been living in the home."
During the welfare check, police said they found three additional children inside the home. The living conditions in the rest of the home were no better than the kitchen, according to authorities.
"A single mattress was found on the floor surrounded by clothing," the release says. "The bathroom was in an unsanitary state, with toilets and bathtubs filled with feces and urine. Officers determined the plumbing was non-functional."
Officer Chris Bordelon told Shreveport CBS affiliate KSLA that the feces and urine were "back-flowing into the house from the bathroom because it did not have running water."
Police contacted the Department of Children and Family Services, along with Shreveport Police juvenile detectives, to assist at the scene.
"The officers were very distraught over the conditions in which the children were having to live. And ultimately, it's what led to the response of bringing DCFS on board," Bordelon added.
When the investigation concluded, Williams was placed under arrest and charged with a total of four counts of criminal neglect of family, one for each of the children in her care.
"This case was deeply troubling for all involved, and the Shreveport Police Department remains committed to protecting the welfare of the most vulnerable members of our community â our children," the department said in a statement. "We urge anyone aware of similar situations to contact authorities immediately."
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