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.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 12:32 PM EDT2013-05-22 16:32:36 GMT
Testimony continued Wednesday in a Fulton County courtroom in the case of a Sandy Springs man accused of gunning down his wife.
Testimony continued Wednesday in a Fulton County courtroom in the case of a Sandy Springs man accused of gunning down his wife. Prosecutors say Michael Parson shot his wife, Adina, eight times in April 2012 outside their apartment.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 12:28 PM EDT2013-05-22 16:28:25 GMT
Authorities have canceled an Amber Alert for a 1-year-old girl after she was found safe.
Authorities have canceled an Amber Alert for a 1-year-old girl after she was found safe. They say 1-year-old Annya Buchannon was in the back of a car that was stolen just after midnight from the Playskool Daycare on Conley Road in Forest Park.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 12:24 PM EDT2013-05-22 16:24:23 GMT
Atlanta fire crews are battling a huge, two-alarm blaze at an automotive business downtown.
Atlanta fire crews battled a huge, two-alarm blaze at an automotive business downtown on Wednesday morning. Authorities say the fire sparked at United Transmission Service, which is located at 350 Marietta Street NW.
State Representative Tyrone Brooks appeared in federal court on Wednesday morning to answer to fraud charges. Brooks pleaded not guilty before Magistrate Judge Alan Baverman.
State Representative Tyrone Brooks appeared in federal court on Wednesday morning to answer to fraud charges.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 11:53 AM EDT2013-05-22 15:53:01 GMT
Five people made a quick escape from a MARTA bus just before it was hit by a train Tuesday morning.
Five people made a quick escape from a MARTA bus just before it was hit by a train Wednesday morning. Fire crews say the bus stalled on the railroad tracks in downtown Decatur, and those onboard had just seconds to get out before an oncoming train hit it.
The Gainesville City Council is moving ahead with a study to determine the feasibility of a new convention center and hotel in the northeast Georgia city.
The Gainesville City Council is moving ahead with a study to determine the feasibility of a new convention center and hotel in the northeast Georgia city.
