SHREVEPORT, LA – A Shocking Act of Neglect: Mother Leanisha Broom Leaves Five Children, Ranging from 5 Months to 6 Years Old, Alone for Several Days, Now Faces Multiple Child Desertion Charges

A harrowing incident of parental neglect and abandonment has rocked the Shreveport community, as Leanisha Broom, a 34-year-old mother, was arrested Monday after leaving her five young children home alone for several days. The children, ranging in age from just 5 months old to 6 years old, were found without any adult supervision after an urgent investigation led by Shreveport police. The case has drawn widespread attention and concern from the local community, as well as child advocacy groups, with the shocking details of the situation continuing to unfold.

The Discovery of Neglect and Desperation

The chilling chain of events began on Saturday morning when a family member, deeply concerned for the well-being of Broom’s children, contacted authorities. Unable to reach the mother by phone and unable to locate her anywhere, the family member feared the worst. This prompted them to call the Shreveport police, who immediately dispatched officers to the Broom family’s residence located on Virginia Avenue in the city’s West End.

When officers arrived at the scene, they were met with the heartbreaking sight of five small children—ranging from 6 years old down to a fragile 5-month-old infant—left alone in the home, without the supervision or care of an adult. The police quickly contacted Child Protective Services (CPS) and began an intensive search for the children’s mother, who had been absent for days.

A Long History of Abandonment

Leanisha Broom, who had been wanted on warrants for child desertion from previous incidents, was no stranger to law enforcement. Broom had active bench warrants for three counts of child desertion dating back to 2023, as well as an additional charge from 2021. Despite these prior charges, she had evaded arrest until now.

According to reports, the U.S. Marshals attempted to arrest Broom on Thursday after her whereabouts were traced to a nearby location. However, she managed to evade authorities once again, further exacerbating the already volatile situation. By the time officers arrived at the house on Virginia Avenue, Broom had not been seen at home or at work since Thursday.

The Eldest Child’s Heartbreaking Account

During the investigation, Shreveport police youth services detectives learned from the eldest child, a 6-year-old, that Broom had made a brief appearance at the home on the morning of the abandonment. According to the child, Broom arrived just long enough to drop off a breakfast biscuit from McDonald’s before leaving again—without any explanation, leaving the young children to fend for themselves in the empty home.

The 6-year-old, in a distraught state, told officers that there had been no other adult presence in the house since their mother’s departure, and that the children had been alone for days, struggling to care for each other. As the investigation continued, it became clear that Broom had left the children without food or adequate care during her absence, causing increasing alarm among local authorities.

Family’s Role and Child Protective Services’ Response

The family member who initially alerted the authorities was instrumental in the eventual safe placement of the children. Recognizing the severe danger posed by Broom’s neglect, law enforcement worked swiftly with Child Protective Services (CPS) to ensure the children were taken into protective custody. The children were placed with a family member while CPS conducted a more thorough investigation into the circumstances of the abandonment.

While the children were reported to be in a relatively good physical condition, the emotional toll of such neglect was evident. Experts suggest that prolonged exposure to abandonment can have lasting consequences for a child’s development, affecting everything from emotional regulation to cognitive function and even physical health.

The Arrest and Legal Ramifications

After days of frantic searching, Broom was finally located on Monday and arrested on charges related to the abandonment of her five children. In addition to the five new counts of child desertion she faces for the current case, the 34-year-old is still wanted for the earlier child desertion charges dating back to 2021 and 2023.

Law enforcement officials have expressed shock and disbelief at the severity of Broom’s actions, as well as the ongoing nature of her neglectful behavior. Local police spokespersons stated that Broom’s repeated failures to provide adequate care for her children had raised alarm among officers involved in the investigation, who noted that the case was one of the most egregious examples of neglect they had seen in years.

“It’s heartbreaking to see a mother leave her children so vulnerable and unattended, particularly when this isn’t her first time facing serious charges related to neglect,” said Shreveport Police Chief, Jeffrey W. Smith. “We take the safety of children in our community very seriously, and we will ensure that this case is thoroughly investigated and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.”

The legal ramifications of Broom’s actions are still unfolding, but experts predict that she could face severe penalties for her actions. If convicted of the current charges, she could face years in prison and be permanently barred from regaining custody of her children.

The Role of the Community and Child Welfare Agencies

The incident has prompted a wave of outrage and concern within the Shreveport community. Local residents have rallied behind efforts to support the children and hold Broom accountable for her actions. Several community organizations have issued statements expressing their shock and sadness, calling for more to be done to address the issues of neglect and abandonment in the area.

Local child advocacy groups have been outspoken in calling for increased resources for families in crisis, as well as better support systems to prevent children from being placed in unsafe environments. Experts emphasize the importance of early intervention, particularly in cases where children are at risk of neglect or abuse, in order to provide the necessary help before the situation reaches a breaking point.

“We cannot allow children to grow up in an environment of neglect,” said Jessica Hardy, a local child welfare advocate. “It’s a community issue that requires everyone to come together to support vulnerable families and ensure that our children are safe from harm.”

The Children’s Future: What’s Next?

The immediate focus now is on the welfare of the five children involved in the case. Following Broom’s arrest, Child Protective Services will continue its investigation into the family’s circumstances and the children’s needs. In the meantime, the children are expected to remain in the care of a family member, with regular assessments to ensure their emotional and physical well-being.

However, the long-term future of the children remains uncertain. Given Broom’s history of neglect, the children may not be returned to her custody, and it’s likely that a more permanent arrangement will need to be made to ensure their safety and stability. Legal proceedings regarding custody and parental rights are expected to follow, with Broom facing significant legal challenges as she tries to regain her parental rights.

A Wake-Up Call for the Community

This case serves as a chilling reminder of the ongoing crisis of child neglect in communities across the country. Experts urge for more resources to be devoted to both prevention and intervention, as well as a more robust system of support for parents in crisis.

“We must do better as a society to prevent these types of cases from occurring in the first place,” said Dr. Rachel Greene, a child psychologist and advocate for child welfare reform. “It’s crucial that we identify families who may need help early on and provide them with the services and support they need before it’s too late.”

The Shreveport case is far from isolated. Across the nation, thousands of children find themselves living in unsafe environments due to neglect, abandonment, or abuse. With increased awareness, intervention programs, and community support, it’s hoped that fewer children will face similar fates in the future.

For now, the focus remains on the five young children involved in this traumatic case, as the community and authorities work to ensure that they are given the care, safety, and attention they so desperately need.

Conclusion

As this tragic and deeply concerning case continues to unfold, one thing is clear: the safety and well-being of children must always come first. The efforts of local law enforcement, child welfare agencies, and the broader community will be critical in determining the best path forward for the five children affected by Leanisha Broom’s neglectful actions.

The arrest of Broom and the subsequent legal proceedings will undoubtedly serve as a critical test case for child desertion laws in Shreveport and across Louisiana. As more details of the case emerge, the hope is that it will spark meaningful conversations around child welfare reform and the importance of ensuring that children are never left to fend for themselves in dangerous, neglectful situations.

The road to recovery for these young children may be long and challenging, but with the right support, they can eventually heal and build a brighter future—one far removed from the traumatic events that led to their temporary abandonment.