Pontiac Mother Sentenced to Up to 20 Years for Abandoning 3 Children

Judge harshly criticizes mother's actions, rejects defense arguments of systemic failures.

Apr. 14, 2026 at 8:27pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

An extreme close-up photograph of a broken toy car against a pitch-black background, its details and textures dramatically illuminated by a harsh camera flash, conceptually representing the aftermath of child abandonment.The harsh reality of child neglect is exposed through the stark, unforgiving lens of a crime scene photographer.Pontiac Today

A Pontiac, Michigan mother was sentenced to up to 20 years in prison after pleading no contest to three counts of second-degree child abuse. The judge strongly criticized the mother's actions, rejecting the defense's arguments that outside failures, not intent, led to the neglect of her three children.

Why it matters

This case highlights ongoing challenges in the child welfare system, where vulnerable children can fall through the cracks despite available resources. It raises questions about how to better support struggling parents and intervene before neglect escalates to criminal levels.

The details

Teriomas Johnson entered a no-contest plea earlier this year after authorities found her Pontiac apartment without running water and filled with human waste and rotten food. Prosecutors say Johnson had been staying with a boyfriend and only returned to the apartment for short periods, leaving her children alone for months at a time.

  • In April 2026, Teriomas Johnson was sentenced to between 129 months and 20 years in prison.
  • Earlier in 2026, Johnson entered a no-contest plea to three counts of second-degree child abuse.

The players

Teriomas Johnson

A Pontiac, Michigan mother who was sentenced to up to 20 years in prison for abandoning her three children.

Judge Yasmine Poles

The judge who sentenced Johnson, sharply criticizing her actions and rejecting the defense's arguments about systemic failures.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“I think that you are a selfish liar.”

— Judge Yasmine Poles, Sentencing Judge

“I think if other institutions had gotten involved, not only CPS and done something, as well as the landlord, this wouldn't have gotten to this point.”

— Judith Gracey, Johnson's Attorney

What’s next

The judge ordered that Johnson have no direct or indirect contact with her children following her prison sentence.

The takeaway

This case highlights the complex challenges in the child welfare system, where even with available resources, vulnerable children can still fall through the cracks. It underscores the need for better support and intervention for struggling parents before neglect escalates to criminal levels.