ATLANTA, GA – A distressing incident unfolded in southeast Atlanta when a three-year-old boy was found wandering alone, leading to the arrest of his mother and stepfather. The toddler, who appeared to be malnourished, is currently under medical care at Hughes Spalding Hospital.
The mother, Lakisha Holmes, and her partner, Andre Roundtree, have been charged with felony counts of cruelty to children and reckless conduct. The arrests took place Thursday morning on Belford Road, drawing attention from local authorities and neighbors alike.
Holmes stated she had left the child in the care of her brother while she was at work. According to her account, the child slipped out of the house when her brother went to the store, eventually ending up outside a neighbor’s home.
The neighbor, Roderick Arnold, was alerted by the child’s cries at his doorstep around 10:30 p.m. He found the child dressed only in underwear and appearing neglected. Arnold promptly took the child inside and contacted 911.
Further examination revealed the child had facial markings and a potential foot injury. Holmes, unaware of her child’s discovery, was actively searching for him the following morning, visibly upset and concerned.
Despite her efforts, Holmes and Roundtree were apprehended later that day. The Department of Family and Children’s Services has become involved to assess and address the child’s needs.
The community has reacted with concern, emphasizing the critical importance of child protection. Authorities continue to investigate the situation to determine the full scope of the child’s circumstances.
As the case progresses, the priority remains ensuring the child’s health and safety, with community support playing a vital role in safeguarding vulnerable children.