Stepmother arrested; police say boy, 11, left alone & in poor health
Published 12:11 am Wednesday, November 22, 2017
- Lawanda Wilson
LAPLACE — Police found an 11-year-old boy wandering unattended in LaPlace, leading to the stepmother’s arrest for physical and mental abuse, authorities said.
Lawanda Wilson, 46, of LaPlace was arrested Friday for cruelty to juveniles, the apprehension coming, police said, after deputies responded to a Grant Drive home in reference to a juvenile found wandering the area, “alone and in poor health,” authorities said.
“During this investigation, detectives discovered that the juvenile and a sibling were being physically and mentally abused by their stepmother, Lawanda Wilson,” a St. John Parish Sheriff’s Office release said.
Following medical treatment, both children were released into the care of other family members.
Police identified the victims as an 11-year-old male and 14-year-old female.
Wilson is charged with two counts of second degree cruelty to juveniles.
She was released Saturday after posting a $60,000 bond.
Police said the incident is under investigation and anyone with information to call the Sheriff’s Office TIPS line at 985-359-TIPS, dispatch at 985-652-6338 or the Criminal Investigations Division at 985-359-8769.
Tips can also be submitted at stjohnsheriff.org/submitatip.php.