PONTIAC, Mich. – An Oakland County mother who allegedly left her children to live alone in squalor for years appeared in court for her preliminary exam Tuesday.
Kelli Marie Bryant, 34, of Pontiac, was charged with three counts of first-degree child abuse after authorities discovered that her three children had been living alone in “absolute squalor” since 2020.
If convicted, she faces up to life in prison.
Bryant allegedly lived in the house with her four children in 2019, but at some point between 2020 and 2021, she had moved out and left three of her children there, while a fourth child went to live with his father.
The mother allegedly hadn’t seen the children in years, but the boy would text her when their food supply was running low, and she would have food delivered to the house using services like DoorDash or Instacart. During their abandonment, toilet paper, soap and shampoo were allegedly never sent to the kids. Toward the end, they reportedly were sent a loaf of bread to share that was supposed to last them three to four days.
Related: Why didn’t abandoned Oakland County kids ask for help? Here’s what the sheriff said.
During the preliminary exam, Judge Cynthia Thomas Walker mentioned two motions filed by the defense and went into them in depth.
Motion to restrain pretrial publicity
Cecilia Quirindongo-Baunsoe, who is representing Bryant, requested the court issue an order to limit the media exposure of the case, claiming it could create prejudice that could impact a jury’s ability to be impartial.
Quirindongo-Baunsoe said the Oakland County Prosecutor’s Office “disseminated information that really is confidential information that they made me sign a protective order before I could receive it.”
She claimed that she was asked to sign an agreement to not share anything related to the case, a request she declined, and she was told not to talk about the case.
“But at the same time, saying that this is in the public interest,” Quirindongo-Baunsoe said. “I don’t think it’s in the public interest to disseminate evidence that hasn’t been admitted into court. And I don’t think it’s in the children’s interest to disseminate any of that.”
She also mentioned bodycam footage from an Oakland County sheriff’s deputy that was released and posted on social media.
Prosecution argued that Oakland County has followed the Michigan Rules of Professional Conduct and that the prosecutor held a single press conference after Byrant was charged.
“We live in a social media era and information and misinformation spreads very quickly,” said Assistant Prosecutor Kanika Ferency.
She went on to mention reports of people who entered the home, recorded videos and posted them on social media, garnering significant attention.
“That vigilante activity does create a dangerous precedent and the potential of widespread distribution of misinformation,” Ferency said. “And, your Honor, I do believe that a gag order would prevent the prosecutor the ability to correct any sort of misinformation.”
This motion was denied.
Motion to set reasonable bond
Bryant has been held on a $250 million bond since Feb. 20. At the time, the judge said bond was set so high because they were concerned Bryant might “engage in the fear tactics to forbid the children from cooperating with authorities in their continued investigation in this matter.”
Quirindongo-Baunsoe had been pushing for a personal bond with conditions.
After having a bench conference with both attorneys, Walker said the court is willing to do “an evaluation of appropriate pretrial release conditions.”
The judge said the court would have to consider multiple factors when it comes to changes to bond, including their criminal record, history of appearance or flight risk, substance abuse, mental condition, and character. Additional considerations include the seriou
sness of the offense, likelihood of conviction, employment and financial history, community ties, and the availability of community members to vouch for the defendant.
This motion was approved. Both attorneys will return to court at noon, Friday, March 7, to make their cases for reasonable bond, where it will be reviewed and changes might be made.
The probable cause conference was adjourned and is set to resume April 15.
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