Pontiac Mother Accused of Abandoning 3 Children Faces More Court Hearings

Kelli Bryant faces child abuse charges related to forcing her children to live in squalid conditions.

Published on Feb. 25, 2026

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A Pontiac mother accused of abandoning her three children, ages 15, 13, and 12, to live in unbearable, filthy conditions in an apartment is facing continued court hearings. Kelli Bryant, 34, was charged with three counts of child abuse and is also facing a welfare fraud case after allegedly receiving $30,000 in state support payments.

Why it matters

This case highlights ongoing issues around child neglect and abuse, as well as potential gaps in social services and welfare fraud that allow such situations to persist. The conditions the children were allegedly forced to live in raise serious concerns about their wellbeing and the ability of authorities to intervene in time.

The details

Bryant participated in a pretrial hearing on Wednesday, but her jury trial scheduled for March 2 has been postponed as she will undergo another competency hearing, with a follow-up pretrial set for May 27. Bryant has already made roughly a dozen court appearances. The landlord contacted authorities in February 2025 after rent went unpaid for months, and first responders found the children living in a filthy apartment. The three children were placed in a relative's custody through Child Protective Services.

  • The landlord contacted authorities in February 2025.
  • Bryant's jury trial was originally scheduled for March 2, 2026.
  • Bryant will undergo another competency hearing, with a follow-up pretrial set for May 27, 2026.

The players

Kelli Bryant

A 34-year-old Pontiac mother accused of abandoning her three children, ages 15, 13, and 12, to live in unbearable, filthy conditions in an apartment. She is facing three counts of child abuse and a welfare fraud case.

Judge Mary Ellen Brennan

The judge presiding over the court hearings for Kelli Bryant.

Oakland County Sheriff's Office

The law enforcement agency that responded to the report of the squalid living conditions and found the three children.

Child Protective Services

The agency that placed the three children in the custody of a relative.

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What’s next

Bryant will undergo another competency hearing, and a follow-up pretrial will take place on May 27, 2026.

The takeaway

This case highlights the ongoing challenges in addressing child neglect and abuse, as well as the need for stronger oversight and coordination between social services, law enforcement, and the judicial system to protect vulnerable children.