Shreveport Mother Arrested After Young Children Found Crying, Barefoot, and Locked on Filthy Balcony for Hours in Disturbing Case of Repeated Neglect

SHREVEPORT, LA — April 11, 2025 — In a heart-wrenching discovery that has sparked shock and outrage across Shreveport, two young children were found locked outside on a filthy balcony, barefoot and alone, for hours on Thursday afternoon. Their cries for help, heard by a passing neighbor, led to a swift response that may have saved their lives.

The incident occurred at the Villa de Lago Apartments in west Shreveport on April 10. A neighbor walking by spotted the siblings — a 3-year-old and a 5-year-old — trapped on a second-story balcony. Witnesses reported the children were visibly distressed, their clothing soiled and their skin streaked with dirt and dried tears. The air was thick with the smell of urine. They were crying out in confusion and fear, barefoot and cold on the rough balcony floor, with no adults in sight.

A Neighbor’s Instinct Saves the Day

According to Shreveport Police, the children had been left unattended for an extended period before the concerned passerby contacted authorities. Officers arrived promptly and confirmed the alarming situation. The apartment door was locked from the inside, with the children unable to access food, water, or shelter.

Emergency responders safely retrieved the children, who were immediately examined by medical personnel. Although dehydrated and frightened, both are now physically stable and under the care of a trusted adult identified by local child welfare services.

Repeated Neglect Uncovered

The children’s mother, Jessica Ogula, was later tracked down and arrested. Ogula admitted to leaving the children alone while she went to work — a pattern that investigators now say was not a one-time lapse in judgment but part of a recurring cycle of neglect.

“No babysitter had been arranged,” said Officer Chelsey Grier of the Shreveport Police Department. “She knowingly locked them outside, without shoes, without food, without supervision, and left for hours. This is not only unacceptable — it’s criminal.”

Ogula, now in custody, faces two counts of child desertion and endangering the welfare of minors. Her bail has not yet been set, and additional charges may follow pending further investigation by the Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS).

A Community in Mourning

The Villa de Lago community is reeling from the revelation. Residents expressed sadness, anger, and concern over the well-being of the children and the failure to detect prior signs of trouble.

“It breaks my heart,” said a neighbor who lives in the apartment complex and wished to remain anonymous. “We hear kids crying sometimes, but nothing like this. We had no idea they were being left like that.”

The incident has reignited calls for stronger neighborhood watch programs and increased resources for low-income families struggling with child care and job insecurity. Community advocates are urging the city to prioritize funding for family services and to create safer environments where such tragedies can be prevented before they escalate.

The Legal and Emotional Fallout

Child welfare experts say the trauma these young children experienced may have long-lasting psychological effects. “Being isolated in a frightening, unsanitary condition without adult protection is deeply damaging, especially at such a young age,” said Dr. Amanda Ricks, a child psychologist at LSU Health Shreveport. “They need stability, therapy, and love — immediately.”

The children have been placed with a relative deemed fit by child protective services. Authorities say efforts are now underway to secure them permanent care in a stable, nurturing environment.

Ogula, if convicted, could face jail time, mandatory parenting classes, and loss of parental rights.

A Wake-Up Call

This tragedy, while horrifying, has become a rallying cry for vigilance and compassion. Law enforcement officials urge residents to speak up when something doesn’t seem right — a noisy child, a locked balcony door, a prolonged absence of an adult caregiver.

“If you see something, say something,” said Officer Grier. “This case could’ve ended in death, but someone cared enough to call.”

More to Come

For now, Shreveport mourns the reality that innocence was eclipsed by neglect. As the legal case proceeds and the community processes what happened, one truth remains clear: two small lives could have been lost if not for one neighbor’s courage to act.

Our hearts go out to these children and those committed to giving them a better future.