The Pontiac mother accused of abandoning her three kids, leaving them to live in what’s described as uninhabitable conditions, was arraigned Thursday in 50th District Court on child abuse charges, Thursday in 50th District Court.
Judge Ronda Gross set bond at $250 million.
Kelli Marie Bryant, 34, faces three counts of first-degree child abuse — punishable by up to life in prison. She was arrested last Friday after deputies were called to a residence on Lydia Lane in the Stonegate Pointe townhomes for a welfare check and found Bryant’s children, a 15-year-old boy and his sisters, ages 13 and 12, hiding inside. The townhome was filled with large piles of garbage, mold and human waste throughout, had an overflowing toilet and a feces-filled bathtub, officials said.
Bryant, who was reportedly living elsewhere in Pontiac, is believed to have abandoned the children sometime in 2020 or 2021, forbade them to leave the filth-ridden home and used fear to make them comply.
Oakland County Prosecutor Karen McDonald said the children were existing in “a revolting pit of refuse and squalor.”
According to investigators, the 15-year-old would reportedly contact Bryant when he and his sisters needed food, and she would arrange to have something brought to them — but toilet paper, soap and hygiene products were never provided. When rescued, the girls were covered in feces, and all three children had matted hair and toenails several inches long making it difficult to walk.
Neighbors told deputies they were unaware the children lived in the home and never saw them outside, investigators said.
“I thank Judge Gross for setting a bond that ensures that as this case moves forward, it reflects the severity of consequences and the risks for what was inflicted on these poor children,” Oakland County Sheriff Michael Bouchard said. The high bond was reportedly set due to Bryant being considered a flight risk.
McDonald said she intends to file a petition to terminate Bryant’s parental rights.
It’s believed that, aside from the 15-year-old texting Bryant for food and stepping outdoors twice, the three children had no contact with the outside world for more than four years.
The townhome’s landlord had requested the welfare check, telling the sheriff’s office he hadn’t spoken to Bryant since December and the rent hadn’t been paid for four months causing him concern, officials said.
Children’s Protective Services has placed the kids with a relative, but they remain in the custody of the Department of Health and Human Services, McDonald said. She also said she’s been in contact with the children’s father, and while there’s been no request for criminal charges for anyone else so far it hasn’t been ruled out.
Bryant’s next court appearance is scheduled for March 4 for a probable cause conference. A preliminary exam is set for March 11.
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