Mother accused of leaving 3 children alone in apartment for years takes plea deal

PONTIAC, Mich. (WNEM/Gray News) — A Michigan woman accused of abandoning her three children in an apartment without running water has pleaded no contest to three counts of first-degree child abuse.

The Oakland County Prosecutor’s Office said Thursday that 35-year-old Kelli Bryant made the plea agreement.

Under this agreement, Bryant will serve at least six years in prison.

“This plea will spare the children from testifying at trial and ensures Bryant remains incarcerated until they are all adults,” prosecutor Karen McDonald said. “I’m hopeful the children she victimized will continue to have the space and resources to heal from this abhorrent trauma.”

The prosecutor’s office said Bryant left her children alone in the apartment for several years, periodically dropping food at the door.

The children did not go outside or attend school during that time.

Bryant had previously pleaded as charged to three counts of welfare fraud in December. Her parental rights were terminated in April, the prosecutor’s office said.

Bryant’s sentencing is scheduled for Sept. 21.