[Warning: Potentially Triggering Content]
A Michigan mother is facing a jury trial after cops uncovered a shocking truth: she “sacrificed” her children to live in filth for her own benefit.
Last week, Kelli Bryant appeared in court after authorities discovered her three children, a 15-year-old boy, a 13-year-old girl, and a 12-year-old girl, were left to fend for themselves as she lived her best life, according to WDIV. During her preliminary hearing on May 16, four witnesses testified, including a responding deputy, a pediatrician, an investigator, and a detective. What they had to say was so disturbing…
Responding Deputy
Oakland County Sheriff’s Deputy Quincy Curtis responded to the Pontiac residence in February for a welfare check. The door was locked, so he returned a day later and the landlord was there with a locksmith. When they entered the premises through the garage, they discovered mold stains on the ceiling, trash riddled everywhere, and feces out in the open.
WTF.
Inside the actual home, things weren’t much better… More trash, feces, and cobwebs which contributed to a scent reminiscent of a “dead body,” according to the officer.
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He said he heard crying children on the other side of a locked door and attempted to comfort them. That’s when the oldest child came out of another room walking abnormally and sporting extremely long toenails. The two other children then came out of the room hunched over, refusing to look at the officer. He testified:
“They were very frightened.”
According to him, they could barely even spell their own names. He contacted Child Protective Services, and the three children were transported to a local hospital where they received hygienic care… Which was a challenge as the children reportedly did not understand how to brush their teeth or even flush a toilet!
So awful…
At the time of the discovery, Sheriff Mike Bouchard revealed the following in a statement:
“This situation would be deemed deplorable and intolerable for an animal, and it is utterly unacceptable for your three children. 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.”
Pediatrician
Dr. Smith testified during the hearing after examining all three children. According to her, the oldest boy was quiet and did not smile. She also observed brown spots in his mouth which were possible lesions. The middle child was a bit more “high-spirited” and had a stutter. According to the doctor, the child did not understand why she was being examined. The child also reportedly had a difficult time standing. The youngest child was reportedly developmentally immature for her age and also had trouble standing. All three children suffered from vision trouble.
According to Dr. Smith, their routine included the following: wake up, go on their phone and tablet, and then sleep — they would only eat when food was provided to them.
Detective
John Brish testified he was monitoring the welfare check call when he heard a report the children hadn’t seen their mother in years. He went to the residence and claimed he observed the two youngest girls having trouble walking and displaying sensitivity to the light. According to him, police were advised to wear hazmat suits while searching the residence and all three children were covered in feces.
After speaking with the children, he was able to contact Bryant and she agreed to meet at the police station. He claimed when she arrived he was surprised by her kempt appearance as she sported long nails and groomed hair. She was read her Miranda Rights and then admitted she sacrificed the children to live in filth to prioritize herself. She claimed “her actions were selfish”:
“I hurt my children. I sacrificed my children, probably.”
According to Law & Crime, Brish testified:
“She knew that her actions were selfish, that’s her wording and that it made her children sick and that she had ultimately sacrificed her children for her own purposes.”
Investigator
Brian Martin testified he obtained information about the children’s mother through their phone: her contact was labeled as something like “World’s greatest mom,” and the majority of conversations were about food deliveries. But get this: the kids’ names in HER phone were listed as “My oldest,” “Kid 1,” and “Kid 2.” JFC.
On texts from February 14, the day the children were found, the oldest messaged Bryant informing her the police were there. She responded by telling them to hide. Other texts show her expressing disapproval of the oldest child giving out his address to a friend he met online.
How completely awful…
During the hearing, the judge ruled there was enough evidence for the case to go to a jury trial. Bryant is currently facing three counts of first-degree child abuse and welfare fraud.
What a horrifying situation. Those poor children… We hope they are able to be rehabilitated and that they see justice for the abuse their mother has inflicted on them.
If you have sincere cause to suspect child abuse, call the Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline at 1-800-4-A-Child or 1-800-422-4453, or go to www.childhelp.org
[Images via Oakland County Sheriff’s Office]
