A 34-year-old Michigan woman faces multiple counts of child abuse after allegedly abandoning her three children in a home described as being in “deplorable” condition. Kelli Bryant was arrested after authorities discovered her son and two daughters living amidst squalor and filth, reportedly left to fend for themselves for years.
Bryant’s landlord contacted the Oakland County Sheriff’s Office on February 16, 2025, and requested a welfare check. The landlord reported not having heard from Bryant since December and stated that she had not paid rent since October.
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Upon arriving at the residence, deputies found the home in a shocking state. Trash was piled as high as four feet in some rooms, and mold and human waste were present throughout the house. The toilet was overflowing, and feces were found in the bathtub.
The Sheriff’s Office released photos depicting the appalling conditions, and a technician required a hazmat suit to process the scene.
Deputies located a 15-year-old boy and his 12- and 13-year-old sisters hiding in a bathroom. The children eventually emerged after being coaxed by the deputies. The teenage boy reportedly told authorities that their mother had abandoned them in 2020 or 2021. They survived on prepared food that Bryant or a stranger would leave on the front porch weekly.
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“Throughout my extensive career in this field, I have never encountered a scenario as dire and prolonged as this one, involving abandonment, neglect, and abuse of the highest order. This situation would be deemed deplorable and intolerable for an animal, and it is utterly unacceptable for your three children,” said Oakland County Sheriff Bouchard. “The young girls have been deprived of any interaction with their mother and have not received an education for years. The far-reaching consequences of this abuse must be acknowledged. We look forward to presenting this case to the prosecutor and ensuring that she faces the consequences of her actions.”
According to the Sheriff’s Office, Bryant did not provide the children with toilet paper or other essential hygiene items. She reportedly communicated with her son but not with her daughters.
The children did not attend school, and it appeared the girls had not left the house in years. The boy slept on a mattress on the floor, while the girls used pizza boxes. Neighbors were reportedly unaware that children resided in the home, though they had seen Bryant dropping off food.
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Paramedics transported the children to a hospital for evaluation. They were found to be wearing soiled clothing, and their toenails were so long that they had difficulty walking. They were reportedly unfamiliar with basic hygiene practices, such as using personal hygiene items or flushing a toilet.
Bryant was arrested without incident at another location. She claimed the children’s father played no role in their lives. The three children are now in the custody of a relative.
Bryant has been charged with three counts of first-degree child abuse. Each count carries a potential life sentence upon conviction. A judge set Bryant’s bond at $250 million. The extreme conditions and alleged long-term neglect have shocked the community and highlighted the severe consequences of child abandonment.
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