Mother accused of leaving children alone for days while going on cruise appears in court

HOUSTON (Gray News) - A 29-year-old mother of two faced a Texas judge this week on charges of abandoning her children.

Lakesha Woods Williams reportedly left her kids, ages 6 and 8, home alone for several days earlier this month while she went on a cruise to Puerto Rico.

Harris County authorities charged the 29-year-old with child abandonment with the intent to return.

According to court documents, Williams was on a cruise, but she told authorities that she had cameras in her high-rise apartment to check on her children.

She allegedly left her son with a phone too.

Neighbors ended up calling police concerned for the safety of the kids.

Investigators shared that the apartment smelled of urine and had trash and leftover food thrown everywhere.

Williams’ defense attorney said she paid her cousin to watch the kids, but he took off with the money instead.

“If you left your child unattended for four days on a trip out of the country, and the cousin doesn’t go to take care of the children, wouldn’t you as a parent, be on the first plane back?” KHOU quoted Harris District Assistant District Attorney Keegan Childers.

A magistrate judge reviewed Williams’ bond and kept it at $25,000, according to reports.

Officials said Williams’ children are currently with their aunt while the investigation continues.

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