Kelli Bryant is charged with three counts of first-degree child abuse in connection with a child neglect case where three children were found living in a Pontiac home in 'deplorable shape' and allegedly abandoned by their mother nearly five years prior to the children being discovered. The tree children found in the home were a 15-year-old boy, a 13-year-old girl and a 12-year-old girl. The property landlord had requested a welfare check in February 2025 after not hearing from the mother since December 2024. The landlord said rent had not been paid since October, and he was concerned something might have happened. Deputies found mold and human waste throughout, garbage piled as high as four feet, and an overflowing toilet. The children were reportedly covered in feces, and the two girls had trouble walking out of the house. The home was not properly registered as a rental property which meant that the unit was being unlawfully rented out and as a result, wasn't subject to inspections. Investigators believe the children were abandoned between 2020 and 2021. Officials say Bryant has four children with two different fathers. Prosecutors say Bryant was living with her four children at the home in 2019 and left with one of her children, who is now living with their father. Bryant is also charged with three counts of welfare fraud. The welfare fraud charges stem from a review by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services of Bryant's support payments. MDHHS alleges Bryant obtained an overpayment by fraud of $29,397 from January 2022 through February 2025. The defendant appears to have effectively abandoned her children while collecting their public assistance. Officials say that this crime is, first and foremost, a theft from Kelli Bryant's children. These resources were intended to ensure they had the basic necessities denied to them. First-degree child abuse is punishable by up to life in prison. Welfare fraud of more than $500 is punishable by up to four years in prison and/or a $5,000 fine.