PONTIAC, Mich. – An Oakland County mother is being held without bond after reportedly leaving her young children in “deplorable conditions.”
According to authorities, the three young children were left unattended in an apartment littered with rotten food and human and animal waste.
Local 4 has chosen not to publish photos of the apartment.
“It defies understanding how parents blessed with the gift of a child could show such cruelty,” said Oakland County Sheriff Michael Bouchard. “The complete lack of compassion and humanity is heartbreaking.”
The investigation into 31-year-old Teriomas Tremic Johnson began on Friday, Nov. 7, after an alleged break-in at a Pontiac apartment was reported by a 12-year-old girl.
Responding officers reportedly did not find evidence of a break-in, but found the home in deplorable condition.
Police said the mother was not present and that three children — the 12-year-old and two 9-year-olds — were living with three cats, clogged sinks, and inoperable plumbing, causing them to use a cardboard box as a makeshift toilet.
The children said they hadn’t seen their mom since the day prior.
The three were enrolled in school, but authorities said their attendance was inconsistent.
Johnson was found in Ann Arbor and reportedly made her way back to the Pontiac apartment after about three hours, where she was immediately taken into custody.
Child Protective Services placed the children with family members.
Authorities said Johnson was on probation after being convicted of retail fraud, fleeing and eluding, and fourth-degree child abuse after allegedly fleeing from police with two of her children in the car.
Johnson was charged with three counts of second-degree child abuse and was initially given a $250,000 bond.
After she reportedly threw a chair and cursed at the magistrate, Johnson was ordered to be held without bond.
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