A southeast Atlanta woman is facing child cruelty charges after police say she left two small children home alone for several hours early Wednesday.
Authorities said they found two children in the bedroom of a completely dark apartment with no power that reeked of animal waste.
"Apparently the security guard that works out there was doing his routine patrol. He discovered an open door. That security guard went inside to see if everything was OK, maybe it was accidentally left open. What he found inside was two children, a 6-year-old and 2-year-old, that had been left alone," said Sgt. Greg Lyon of the Atlanta Police Department.
Authorities have charged Shantonia Heard with child neglect. Police say they were in the unit for about an hour when Heard came back. She told them that she had stepped out to recharge a cellphone. They're still investigating how long she was gone.
"I just heard somebody hollering and screaming and I came out the door and looked and seen the cops arresting my neighbor downstairs," said Maria Little, who lives above the apartment.
Little said her thoughts are about Heard's two children and what is in their future.
"I'm just worried about the kids. It just hurts. Nobody wants their kids to go to DFACS," said Little.
Police said that the children are in the custody of Division of Family and Children's Services.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 12:23 PM EDT2013-05-21 16:23:15 GMT
Robert Champion's parents said Tuesday that Florida A&M University's band shouldn't march next year, even though they've already hired a new band director.
Robert Champion's parents said Tuesday that Florida A&M University's band shouldn't march next year, even though they've already hired a new band director.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 9:45 AM EDT2013-05-21 13:45:59 GMT
It's college graduation time, but before many graduates celebrate, they've got to focus on what comes next.
It's college graduation time, but before many graduates celebrate, they've got to focus on what comes next. With a tight job market, many new grads are getting a dose of reality when it comes to trying to land their first job.
Monday, May 20 2013 11:56 PM EDT2013-05-21 03:56:14 GMT
Police are investigating a suspected rape at North Atlanta High School. Authorities say a male at the school raped a female student on campus during school hours.
Police are investigating a suspected rape at North Atlanta High School. Authorities say a male at the school raped a female student on campus during school hours.
