A Louisiana woman has been arrested after police say she repeatedly attempted to abandon her young son at several locations, including a cemetery and a laundromat. Authorities say the situation unfolded over the weekend and ended after witnesses alerted police about an abandoned child. The boy is now safe, while the woman faces multiple criminal charges.
Woman Accused of Abandoning 8-Year-Old Son
The suspect, Jeanette Edmonds, 43, has been charged with:
- Cruelty to juveniles
- Child desertion
- Criminal abandonment
According to the Ponchatoula Police Department, officers responded to a call around 2 p.m. Sunday about a child who had been left alone at a laundromat.
Witnesses reported seeing a woman drive away from the location, leaving the child behind.
Child Taken to Police Station
Officers located the boy and brought him to the police station while they searched for his mother.
Police Chief Bry Layrisson said officers tried to keep the child comfortable while waiting for answers.
According to the chief, officers bought the boy food and gave him something to watch while he stayed at the station.
The chief said the department wanted to make sure the child felt safe during the process.
Police Discover Earlier Attempts to Abandon the Boy
During the investigation, police learned the laundromat incident was not the first time Edmonds allegedly tried to leave her son behind.
Authorities say the sequence of events included several attempts:
- Cemetery attempt – Police say Edmonds first tried to leave the boy at a cemetery, but he managed to get back into the vehicle.
- Farm attempt – She then allegedly tried to drop him off at a nearby farm.
- Laundromat incident – Finally, she reportedly left him at a laundromat before driving away.
It remains unclear why Edmonds attempted to abandon the child.
Suspect Located Hours Later
Investigators eventually tracked Edmonds to Harvey, a community across the Mississippi River from New Orleans.
Harvey is about 60 miles from Ponchatoula, where the child was found.
Police took Edmonds into custody after locating her in that area.
Police Say Mother Offered No Explanation
According to police, Edmonds did not provide a reason for her actions during questioning.
Authorities also said she never asked investigators about her son’s well-being.
Police Chief Layrisson told reporters that the boy is currently doing fine despite the frightening experience.
Charges and Current Custody Status
Edmonds is now being held at the Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff’s Office.
Officials say she is being held without bond as the case moves through the legal process.
Investigators have not yet released additional details about what may have led to the incidents.
