A Shreveport woman, Calvinitri White, has filed a federal lawsuit against the City of Shreveport, a former police officer, and others, alleging false arrest, false imprisonment, and negligence. The lawsuit stems from White’s July 5 arrest on three counts of criminal neglect of family after Shreveport police officers and child welfare officials alleged conditions inside her apartment at Village Square Apartments were unlivable.

Background of the Case

White, a mother of three, was jailed for several days. However, the Caddo Parish District Attorney’s Office did not pursue the case after records showed White had repeatedly sought extermination services from apartment management to address pest infestations. White alleges that she suffered significant personal and professional harm as a result of the arrest and the public attention surrounding the case.

White’s attorney, Malik Shabazz, argued that apartment management, rather than White, should be held responsible for the living conditions that led to the arrest. Shreveport Police Department spokesman Cpl. Chris Bordelon responded to the lawsuit’s allegations, saying the officers acted on probable cause based on conditions observed inside the residence.

Response from Authorities

Bordelon said officers observed poor living conditions and noted that the children appeared unclean and in soiled clothing. He said officers contacted the Louisiana Department of Children and Family Services because they believed it was necessary to protect the children’s well-being. White said the arrest damaged her reputation and disrupted her life.

Original reporting: KTBS 3 (Shreveport) — read the source article.