A Texas mom is behind bars after allegedly leaving her young children home alone for nearly a week while she went on a cruise.
Lakesha Williams, 29, was arrested Thursday on two charges of child endangerment after leaving her kids, ages 6 and 8, alone in her high-rise apartment in Houston for six days, according to Harris County Constable Precinct 5.
"We are still putting together the facts and circumstances of how these children were left alone," Constable Ted Heap said in a statement. "But the important thing is they are safe now and those responsible should be held accountable for leaving these kids in an unsafe situation."
Police said Williams left her two children home alone on April 4. Deputies found the children in the apartment on April 9 after being contacted by concerned neighbors, according to court records obtained by the Fort Worth Star-Telegram. The apartment was in "complete disarray" with a "potent smell of urine," and trash and food scattered everywhere, according to the report.
Police said the children told deputies their mother was on a cruise. The Star-Telegram reported that the mother was apparently watching and communicating with the kids through a camera in the apartment and was also texting with the older child.
The children were checked by paramedics as well as Child Protective Services, and were removed from the apartment.
Both children have since been placed in the care of a relative.