29-year-old mother who left children alone while on a cruise has done it before, court records show

A 29-year-old mother, Lakesha Woods Williams, facing accusations of leaving her two young children home alone while she embarked on a cruise, has allegedly committed similar actions in the past, according to court records.

Williams is charged with abandoning a child with the intent to return and is currently held on a $25,000 bond.

Concerned neighbors prompted a welfare check by the Harris County Precinct 5 Constable’s Office at her luxury high-rise residence in the Memorial City area on April 9. According to charging documents, many residents expressed worries about the unattended children, noting that such incidents had occurred previously.

During the welfare check, deputies discovered Williams’ 6-year-old daughter and 8-year-old son alone in the apartment, which appeared disheveled. The children informed deputies that they had been by themselves since April 4 and were unsure when their mother would return.

Deputies observed a strong odor of urine in the apartment and evidence that the children had attempted to prepare food for themselves. They also found a webcam Williams used to monitor the children and a phone that the 8-year-old used to communicate with her while she was away, which was confiscated by deputies.

Williams had departed for Miami five days earlier and boarded a cruise bound for Puerto Rico, according to deputies.

Upon contacting Williams, deputies reported her to be uncooperative and inconsistent in her statements regarding her whereabouts.

During her appearance before a magistrate on Friday afternoon, it was decided that Williams’ bond would be set higher than usual due to allegations of similar circumstances occurring in the past. If she posts her $25,000 bond, she will be required to wear a GPS ankle monitor and adhere to a curfew.

Williams’ children are now under the care of her sister, and a protective order has been issued prohibiting Williams from communicating with or being near her daughter and son.

She is scheduled to appear in court on April 15 at 9 a.m. before Judge Brian Warren.