“Shreveport Police Rescue Two Toddlers Left Locked on Balcony, Mother Arrested for Neglect”
Shreveport, LA — April 10, 2025 — In a harrowing scene that has left a community shaken and devastated, two toddlers were rescued by Shreveport police after being found locked on a balcony, their cries echoing through the neighborhood. The children, aged 3 and 5, were reportedly soaked in urine, trembling from the cold, and covered in matted clothing after hours of exposure. No parent was in sight, and it would take the vigilance of a concerned neighbor to bring the desperate situation to an end.
The distress call came in the late afternoon on April 10, when a neighbor noticed the children’s frantic screams coming from a balcony of an apartment complex on the city’s south side. Alarmed by the conditions they could see — the children’s raw, blistered feet from standing on the hot concrete and their desperate attempts to get anyone’s attention — the neighbor immediately called 911.
When officers arrived, they found the toddlers in a state of extreme distress, huddling together for warmth as they were unable to escape the locked area. With no adult in sight, the officers quickly gained access to the balcony and brought the children to safety. They were immediately taken to a nearby hospital for evaluation, where it was determined that, while they had not sustained life-threatening injuries, they were suffering from a combination of dehydration, exposure, and untreated abrasions to their feet.
A Pattern of Neglect
The children’s mother, Jessica Ogula, was not present at the scene when police arrived. When questioned, Ogula initially lied to investigators, claiming that she had left the children under the care of a babysitter. However, further investigation revealed that Ogula had abandoned her children on the balcony without any adult supervision, leaving them to fend for themselves while she went to work. A pattern of neglect, it seemed, was beginning to emerge.
Shreveport police officers reported that the children’s clothing was matted with filth, and their feet were raw and swollen, indicating hours of exposure. It became clear that Ogula had left the children alone for an extended period, possibly for several hours, without any consideration for their basic safety or well-being.
“It’s hard to even comprehend how someone could leave their children in such a vulnerable position,” said Officer Kayla Thompson, one of the first responders to the scene. “They were in pain, they were scared, and they were alone. It’s heartbreaking to think about.”
Community Outrage
Ogula, a 31-year-old mother of two, was arrested and charged with two counts of child endangerment and neglect. She was taken into custody without incident and is being held on a $100,000 bond. Authorities have stated that Ogula’s actions appear to be part of an ongoing pattern of neglect, and they are investigating the full extent of the children’s living conditions. Neighbors described Ogula as often distant and sometimes uncommunicative, with few signs of the nurturing care one might expect from a parent.
Jessica Ogula’s arrest has sparked outrage across the community, with many residents struggling to come to terms with the abuse the children endured. In an area already facing challenges with poverty and social services, the tragedy highlights the vulnerable position some children find themselves in — trapped in unsafe environments, left without adequate care or protection.
“This is a story about failure — failure on the part of a mother to protect her own children and failure on the part of society to step in earlier,” said Tori Allen, a local child welfare advocate. “It’s impossible not to feel anger when you hear about what those children went through. But there’s also sadness, because they were innocent. They were babies.”
A Disturbing History
As authorities dig deeper into Ogula’s background, it appears that this was not an isolated incident. Sources close to the investigation have reported that the children had previously been taken to the hospital for injuries consistent with neglect, including malnutrition and untreated infections. Despite this, Ogula had been allowed to retain custody of the children, and no formal charges were filed in those cases.
Shreveport’s child protective services division is now under scrutiny for its handling of the case. Advocates for children’s welfare are calling for a more thorough examination of the oversight systems that allow children to remain in homes where their safety is at risk.
“We need to make sure that this doesn’t happen again,” said Allen. “We need to ask ourselves why this mother was allowed to continue neglecting her children when there were signs early on that something wasn’t right. It’s not just about one mother — it’s about the systems that failed her children.”
A Community in Mourning
The emotional toll on the community has been profound. Residents who knew the children and Ogula have rallied together in support of the toddlers, who are now in the care of a family member while the legal process unfolds. Local organizations have launched a fundraising campaign to help cover the medical costs and to support the children as they begin their long journey of recovery.
“The fact that we’re even having to ask questions about how this could happen is heartbreaking,” said community leader James Mitchell. “But what’s even more heartbreaking is that two little kids were left alone, in pain, and no one was there to protect them.”
As the children begin to heal from their physical wounds, the emotional and psychological scars will take longer to address. Advocates are already working to ensure they receive the care and counseling they need to overcome the trauma they’ve endured.
A Call for Justice
For now, Shreveport and surrounding areas are left with a sobering reminder of the vulnerability of children and the duty we all share in protecting them. As the legal proceedings continue, the community remains united in calling for justice, not just for the children, but for every innocent life that has been neglected or harmed in similar circumstances.
“We mourn for the trauma these children have endured,” said Officer Thompson. “But we also stand ready to ensure that they never feel alone again. Their lives matter, and we will do everything we can to make sure they grow up in an environment where they are loved and cared for.”
Jessica Ogula’s arrest marks the beginning of a long and painful journey toward justice for her children, but it also underscores a critical need for reform in the way child welfare systems approach cases of neglect and abuse. In the wake of this tragedy, the community has vowed to stand up for the most vulnerable among us and ensure that no child is ever left to suffer in silence again.
If you suspect child abuse or neglect, please contact your local child protective services agency or call the National Child Abuse Hotline at 1-800-4-A-CHILD (1-800-422-4453). Help is available.