Jessica Ogula Arrested After 3-Year-Old and 5-Year-Old Found Locked on Second-Floor Balcony in Shreveport – Children Left Alone for Hours
Shreveport, LA – April 10, 2025 – In a shocking case of child neglect and abandonment, two young children—3-year-old Lily and 5-year-old Noah—were discovered locked outside on a second-floor apartment balcony in Shreveport, Louisiana. The children, barefoot and crying, were found without an adult in sight after a concerned neighbor called the authorities.
The incident occurred around 7:00 p.m. when a neighbor, hearing the children’s distress, noticed the pair standing alone outside on the balcony of their apartment. Immediately sensing something was wrong, the neighbor alerted the apartment manager, who promptly contacted the police. Upon arrival, officers found the children in a distressed state. They appeared to have been outside for an extended period, their clothes were soiled, and the overwhelming smell of urine suggested they had been left alone without any care or attention for quite some time.
After securing the children and ensuring their safety, the police investigated the situation further. A short while later, the children’s mother, 28-year-old Jessica Ogula, arrived at the scene. Initially, Ogula claimed that a babysitter had been entrusted with watching her children while she was at work. However, upon further questioning, it was revealed that this was not the case. Ogula had left her children locked on the balcony without any supervision, with no one else present to care for them.
This revelation shocked both the authorities and the community, especially considering that this wasn’t the first time Ogula had left her children alone. As the investigation continued, it became clear that this pattern of neglect was a recurring issue, not just a one-time mistake. The children were taken into protective custody and placed with a trusted adult for the time being.
Jessica Ogula was arrested and charged with child desertion, a serious offense given the dangerous and distressing circumstances surrounding the children’s abandonment. The case has drawn significant attention and sparked outrage among residents of Shreveport, who are now calling for justice and greater accountability in cases of child neglect.
Lily and Noah’s story serves as a stark reminder of the vulnerability of children and the critical importance of ensuring their safety and well-being, especially in environments where they are meant to be cared for and protected. With Ogula now facing legal consequences, the focus turns to the future care and support of the children, who are now in a safe and secure environment.
A Detailed Breakdown of the Incident:
At approximately 7:00 p.m. on April 10, 2025, a concerned neighbor, who lived in close proximity to Ogula’s apartment in Shreveport, noticed two young children standing alone on the second-floor balcony of the apartment complex. The children, later identified as 3-year-old Lily and 5-year-old Noah, were barefoot and visibly upset, crying as they stood on the edge of the balcony. Their clothing appeared dirty, and they seemed to have been exposed to the elements for an extended period of time.
The neighbor immediately sensed something was amiss. The sight of two young children alone in such a dangerous situation prompted the neighbor to act quickly. Fearing for the children’s safety, the neighbor contacted the apartment manager, who then called the police. The apartment manager’s quick thinking ensured that the authorities were alerted to the children’s distress.
When the police arrived at the scene, they were confronted with a troubling sight. The children were visibly distressed and appeared to have been left alone on the balcony for an extended period. The smell of urine indicated that they had not been properly cared for during this time, and their dirty clothes further suggested that they had not been attended to for a considerable amount of time. There was no sign of any adult supervision, and the officers immediately took the necessary steps to secure the children and ensure their safety.
The officers’ priority was to ensure that the children were removed from harm’s way and placed in a safe environment. The children were immediately taken inside the building and provided with comfort and care while the authorities attempted to locate the responsible adult.
Jessica Ogula’s Arrival and Contradictory Statements:
A short time after the police had arrived, Jessica Ogula, the children’s mother, showed up at the scene. Initially, Ogula claimed that a babysitter had been watching the children while she was at work. She stated that she was unaware of the situation and seemed surprised to learn that her children had been found alone outside.
However, as officers questioned her further, inconsistencies in her story began to emerge. Upon closer investigation, Ogula’s claim that a babysitter had been responsible for caring for the children was quickly debunked. The babysitter she mentioned did not exist, and it became clear that Ogula had left her children alone on the balcony without any supervision. She had gone to work, leaving the young children in a potentially life-threatening situation.
The police learned that Ogula had a history of leaving her children unsupervised, raising concerns about a pattern of neglect. This was not an isolated incident; it was just one of several instances where Ogula had failed to provide proper care for her children. The authorities were shocked by the extent of the neglect, especially considering the dangerous conditions the children were subjected to on the balcony.
As the investigation progressed, the police took into account Ogula’s past behavior, which indicated a lack of regard for her children’s well-being. It was clear that the children had been subjected to unsafe conditions on multiple occasions, which raised serious concerns about Ogula’s ability to care for them.
The Legal and Social Ramifications:
Following her arrest, Jessica Ogula was charged with child desertion, a felony charge that carries serious legal consequences. Child desertion is a crime that occurs when a parent or caregiver intentionally leaves a child in a situation where the child’s safety is at risk, without providing adequate care or supervision.
In this case, Ogula’s actions put her children in immediate danger, as they were left alone on a second-floor balcony, potentially at risk of falling or becoming further distressed. The fact that the children were found in a state of neglect, with dirty clothes and an overwhelming odor of urine, suggests that Ogula had not taken proper care of them for some time prior to the discovery.
While Ogula faces criminal charges, the focus now shifts to the future care and well-being of Lily and Noah. After being taken into protective custody, the children were placed with a trusted adult who can provide them with the care and attention they need. It is likely that the children will undergo further evaluations to ensure that they are physically and emotionally well-cared for moving forward.
The case has prompted widespread outrage from the Shreveport community, with many expressing concern over the apparent lack of accountability for parents who neglect or abuse their children. Community members have called for stricter laws and more thorough monitoring of parents in cases where child neglect is suspected. There is also an ongoing conversation about the role of social services in preventing situations like this and providing support for families in need.
The Impact on the Community and the Children:
The discovery of Lily and Noah locked on the balcony has shaken the Shreveport community to its core. Many residents have expressed disbelief and anger that two young children could be left in such a vulnerable and dangerous situation. The incident has sparked a broader conversation about child welfare, the importance of early intervention in cases of neglect, and the need for more resources for families struggling with caregiving responsibilities.
For Lily and Noah, the psychological and emotional effects of their ordeal are still unknown. Children who are subjected to neglect and abandonment can suffer long-term consequences, including feelings of abandonment, trust issues, and difficulty forming healthy relationships. It is imperative that the children receive the proper psychological care and counseling to help them heal from their traumatic experience.
In the wake of the incident, local organizations focused on child welfare are working to raise awareness about the signs of neglect and abuse. They are also calling for increased support for families in crisis, with the goal of preventing future cases like this one.
Looking Ahead:
As Jessica Ogula faces legal repercussions for her actions, the community of Shreveport is left to grapple with the aftermath of this distressing case. The authorities are continuing to investigate the circumstances surrounding the children’s neglect, and Ogula may face additional charges or legal consequences depending on the outcome of the investigation.
For Lily and Noah, their immediate future is uncertain, but it is clear that they are now in the care of responsible adults who can provide them with the love and security they deserve. As the community rallies around the children, there is hope that they will eventually heal from this traumatic experience and be given the opportunity to thrive in a safe and nurturing environment.
This case serves as a stark reminder of the vulnerability of children and the need for vigilance in protecting them from neglect and abuse. It is a call to action for everyone to be more aware of the signs of child neglect and to take immediate steps to protect vulnerable children in their communities.
