Atlanta police announced Monday that Lakesha Brown, 42, was taken into custody after investigators located two young sisters hidden in a trailer that lacked air conditioning during 97‑degree weather. The children, aged four years and 11 months, were unharmed and have been returned to their mother.
How the alleged kidnapping unfolded
According to the arrest warrant, Brown first connected with the girls’ mother in a “pregnancy mom” Facebook group. Over the course of a year she cultivated trust, presenting herself as a supportive member of a network that offered babysitting and other assistance to mothers. The mother eventually asked Brown to watch her children on a Saturday, promising a trip to Walmart and a candy store.
During the outing the mother called Brown several times to check on the children. Brown assured her the kids were fine, but when the mother arrived at the agreed‑upon pickup location the children were not there. Subsequent calls yielded excuses, and Brown finally claimed she was in an accident and that the children were now in the custody of the Georgia Division for Family and Children Services.
Police response and discovery
The mother reported the situation to 911, prompting an Amber Alert. Detectives canvassed the area and a detective heard a baby crying from inside a nearby trailer. When officers entered, they found Brown with the two girls in a trailer described by police as “unclean and unsuitable” and lacking any cooling system.
Body‑camera footage released by the Atlanta Police Department shows officers approaching the trailer, securing Brown, and safely removing the children. The girls were examined by medical personnel and found to be unharmed.
Charges and prior allegations
Brown now faces two counts each of kidnapping and first‑degree cruelty to children. The warrant also notes that she has an outstanding warrant in Alabama for failing to appear in court on a previous kidnapping case. In that 2021 incident, Brown allegedly befriended another mother through a Facebook group, offered babysitting services, and kidnapped a four‑day‑old infant before the child was safely reunited with his mother.
Alabama authorities indicated that Brown may have attempted similar conduct in the past, though details remain under investigation.
Investigation tools
Federal investigators, including the FBI, assisted local law enforcement by using cell‑phone ping technology to track Brown’s phone to the trailer’s location. The Georgia Bureau of Investigation also participated in the case.
Legal next steps
After her arrest, Brown waived her first appearance at Fulton County Jail. No attorney information was immediately released.
This case underscores the importance of vigilance when arranging childcare through online platforms and highlights the role of law‑enforcement cooperation across state lines in protecting children.
Original reporting: Richardson, TX News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
