Mother arrested after abandoning her 3 children in an apartment for 4 years, Pontiac MI

[tlcya]

IN THE FRAUD CASE:
12/02/2025 MRG MEDIA REQUEST GRANTED WJBK-TV FOX 2
12/02/2025 MRR REQ/NTC-FILM/MEDIA COVERAGE FILED /SEE 25293649FC
12/02/2025 ORD ORDER FILED SET HRG/AMD BOND CONDITIONS/SEE 25-293649-FC
12/02/2025 MRR REQ/NTC-FILM/MEDIA COVERAGE FILED Order Document
12/02/2025 ORD ORDER FILED SET HRG/AMD BOND CONDITIONS Order Document
12/01/2025 PTH PRE-TRIAL HELD ON THE RECORD
12/01/2025 FD FINAL DISPOSITION
12/01/2025 PLE PLEA N/C
12/01/2025 APR DATE SET FOR SENTENCE ON 01/28/2026 01 15 PM Y 12
Court Explorer

OAKLAND COUNTY, Mich. – The Oakland County mom accused of abandoning her three children for years has pleaded no contest to welfare fraud, officials said.
[snip]
The resolution of the Welfare Fraud charges in no way impacts the case against Kelli Bryant on the more serious allegations of Child Abuse,” said Oakland County Prosecutor Karen McDonald. “We fully intend to hold her accountable for the abuse these children suffered because of her alleged neglect.”
Oakland County mom accused of abandoning 3 kids pleads no contest to welfare fraud charges

IN THE NEGLECT/ABUSE CASE (2025-293649-FC)
12/02/2025 MRG MEDIA REQUEST GRANTED WXYZ-TV
12/02/2025 MRG MEDIA REQUEST GRANTED WJBK-TV FOX 2
12/02/2025 MRR REQ/NTC-FILM/MEDIA COVERAGE FILED /SEE 25-293653-FH
12/02/2025 MRR REQ/NTC-FILM/MEDIA COVERAGE FILED Order Document
12/02/2025 MRR REQ/NTC-FILM/MEDIA COVERAGE FILED Order Document
12/02/2025 ORD ORDER FILED SET HRG/AMD BOND CONDITIONS/SEE 25-293653-FH
12/02/2025 MRR REQ/NTC-FILM/MEDIA COVERAGE FILED Order Document
12/02/2025 ORD ORDER FILED SET HRG/AMD BOND CONDITIONS Order Document
12/01/2025 PTH PRE-TRIAL HELD ON THE RECORD
12/01/2025 APR DATE SET FOR PRETRIAL ON 01/28/2026 01 15 PM Y 12
12/01/2025 PROCEEDING TO BE HELD IN-PERSON
12/01/2025 APR DATE SET FOR TRIAL ON 03/02/2026 08 30 AM Y 12

 

[Joe Friday]

Would be nice to see Court TV, Law&Crime or one of the others cover the trial with video feed from start to finish.

WTH, something in the water in Pontiac MI making these do what they do to their children?

JMO

 

[tlcya]

Would be nice to see Court TV, Law&Crime or one of the others cover the trial with video feed from start to finish.

WTH, something in the water in Pontiac MI making these do what they do to their children?

JMO

BBM yes, it is encouraging to see that media motions to be able to cover this case have been granted

 

[tlcya]

curious if Kelli's sentencing hearing went forward today on her fraud charges. Also hoping her trial for the abuse/neglect is still on track for March. I think of these kids often and really hope they are receiving all the love and supportive services needed.

 

[tlcya]

no updates on her sentencing for the fraud charges. As far I I can tell she is still expected to stand trial for the neglect/abuse charges beginning March 6

 

[tlcya]

Sentencing on the welfare fraud charges is scheduled for March 12 at 1:30 p.m. ET.
Michigan mom faces 'found in filth' fraud sentencing before child abuse trial

remember when wrangling for bond Bryant's attorney suggested her client was employed and paid by the state? Yeah, well that was a lie apparently. in her most recent hearing on the child abuse case against her the judge asked about job.
------------------------------------------------------------
When Brennan brought up Bryant’s employment status during the hearing on Wednesday, her attorney said it’s been difficult for Bryant to find a job.

“She’s not getting any calls back,” said Quirindongo-Baunsoe. “It’s very difficult. All she wants is to have a job.”

The judge questioned this, saying, “There are young people out there getting jobs.”

Bryant’s attorney said she believes the issue is that when Bryant submits applications, they run a background check on her, or just Google her name, and information about this case comes up.

The defense attorney claimed that with all her clients, the ones with pending cases have the hardest time finding employment.

“I can’t fathom an Arby’s is going to say no thank you,” the judge said in response.
Oakland County mom accused in child abandonment case called out by judge for job search

It appears Kelli is currently on track for her child abuse trial to begin on March 2nd per this article. Her final pretrial hearing will take place on February 25, 2026.

 

[lightofmine99]

Well I mean...this is kinda why you don't do sh*t like abandoning your kids for multiple years in a filthy apartment.

And while there's a lot being said about felons/ex-cons struggling to find work upon release it's also hard to blame businesses for not wanting to hire them (especially depending on what their convictions were).

 

[ChatteringBirds]

The defense attorney claimed that with all her clients, the ones with pending cases have the hardest time finding employment.

“I can’t fathom an Arby’s is going to say no thank you,” the judge said in response.

I can't agree with this judge. He sounds clueless/biased, in my opinion. People are looking for any legitimate job nowadays, and even Arbys has enough applicants with no criminal accusations or history. I have no doubt someone like her is going to have a very very difficult time finding anything legitimate. JMO.

 

[tlcya]

I can't agree with this judge. He sounds clueless/biased, in my opinion. People are looking for any legitimate job nowadays, and even Arbys has enough applicants with no criminal accusations or history. I have no doubt someone like her is going to have a very very difficult time finding anything legitimate. JMO.

the judge is a she, and not a he. and I have a feeling that the defendant, through her counsel, having previously deceived the court about already having gainful employment may have something to do with the court's current attitude about the defendant's lack of employment now. JMO