A southeast Atlanta woman is facing child cruelty charges after police say she left two small children home alone for several hours early Wednesday.
Authorities said they found two children in the bedroom of a completely dark apartment with no power that reeked of animal waste.
"Apparently the security guard that works out there was doing his routine patrol. He discovered an open door. That security guard went inside to see if everything was OK, maybe it was accidentally left open. What he found inside was two children, a 6-year-old and 2-year-old, that had been left alone," said Sgt. Greg Lyon of the Atlanta Police Department.
Authorities have charged Shantonia Heard with child neglect. Police say they were in the unit for about an hour when Heard came back. She told them that she had stepped out to recharge a cellphone. They're still investigating how long she was gone.
"I just heard somebody hollering and screaming and I came out the door and looked and seen the cops arresting my neighbor downstairs," said Maria Little, who lives above the apartment.
Little said her thoughts are about Heard's two children and what is in their future.
"I'm just worried about the kids. It just hurts. Nobody wants their kids to go to DFACS," said Little.
Police said that the children are in the custody of Division of Family and Children's Services.
Thursday, May 23 2013 7:04 PM EDT2013-05-23 23:04:30 GMT
The jury has found Michael Parson guilty on all eight counts in the shooting of his wife outside their Sandy Springs apartment.The woman, Adina Parson, survived after being shot eight times.
The jury has found Michael Parson guilty on all eight counts in the shooting of his wife outside their Sandy Springs apartment.The woman, Adina Parson, survived after being shot eight times.
Thursday, May 23 2013 6:57 PM EDT2013-05-23 22:57:43 GMT
Tawon Stokes couldn't believe her eyes Sunday when she found a piece of a wing flap that fell off of an airplane and landed on the side of the road in her Ellenwood community.
Tawon Stokes couldn't believe her eyes Sunday when she found a piece of a wing flap that fell off of an airplane and landed on the side of the road in her Ellenwood community.
Thursday, May 23 2013 6:46 PM EDT2013-05-23 22:46:08 GMT
Employees of Atlanta-area Belk stores help spruce up a Norcross school on Thursday. They spent the day working on the campus at Meadow Creek Elementary in Norcross
Employees of Atlanta-area Belk stores help spruce up a Norcross school on Thursday. They spent the day working on the campus at Meadow Creek Elementary in Norcross
Thursday, May 23 2013 6:35 PM EDT2013-05-23 22:35:12 GMT
Metro Atlanta's jobless rate fell in April from 7.9 percent to 7.6 percent. The state labor department says employers added nearly 13,000 jobs.
Metro Atlanta's jobless rate fell in April from 7.9 percent to 7.6 percent. The state labor department says employers added nearly 13,000 jobs. What do those numbers mean for those still looking for work?
Thursday, May 23 2013 5:57 PM EDT2013-05-23 21:57:50 GMT
The fox responsible for biting two Newton County elementary school students while they played on their school's playground remains on the loose.
The fox that bit two Newton County elementary school students while they played on the playground is still on the loose. Animal control authorities tell FOX 5 someone from Rocky Plains Elementary School reported a fox sighting on campus one day before the boys were attacked.
Thursday, May 23 2013 5:32 PM EDT2013-05-23 21:32:47 GMT
The wives of first responders in Atlanta took to the picket line on Thursday morning to demand a salary hike for city workers.
The wives and family members of first responders in Atlanta took to the picket line on Thursday morning to demand a salary hike for city workers. They say their loved ones are forced to work extra jobs just to make ends meet, leaving little time for family.
