Pontiac, Michigan: Teriomas Tremice Johnson Arrested After Children Found Living In Squalor
PONTIAC, Michigan — Teriomas Tremice Johnson, 31, has been arrested following the discovery of her three children living in extreme neglect in a South Francis Street apartment, leaving authorities and the community shocked. Deputies responding to a 911 call made by the 12-year-old daughter late Tuesday evening initially thought someone was attempting to break into the unit. What they found instead was a scene of unimaginable squalor: human waste, animal feces, and rotting garbage littered the apartment, and a cardboard box had become the makeshift toilet for the children.
The 12-year-old, who had called 911, was living with her two 9-year-old siblings entirely alone, with no adult supervision and no access to basic necessities like running water. Sheriff Michael Bouchard described the conditions as “deplorable” and said it defies understanding how children could survive under such circumstances. Investigators are now working to determine how long the children had been abandoned and whether this neglect was part of a larger pattern.
The children’s mother, Teriomas Tremice Johnson, was eventually located in Ann Arbor and arrested on three counts of second-degree child abuse. She initially faced a $250,000 bond but was denied release after throwing a chair and yelling at a magistrate during her Zoom arraignment. The incident has drawn widespread condemnation, with neighbors, schools, and social services now questioning how such extreme neglect went undetected for so long.
School records indicate that the 12-year-old was enrolled, though attendance was inconsistent. This has raised additional concerns about missed opportunities for intervention and why absentee patterns weren’t flagged earlier. Social workers and law enforcement officials are reviewing the school’s response and whether further action could have prevented the prolonged neglect.
The two younger children, both nine years old, were reportedly in equally dire conditions. Deputies said that the children had been forced to improvise hygiene and daily routines under circumstances that most adults would find unimaginable. The community has expressed horror that children were left to fend for themselves in such dangerous and unsanitary conditions, while law enforcement emphasizes the urgent need for accountability.
As authorities continue their investigation, the children are now under protective custody, receiving medical evaluations and psychological support to help them recover from the trauma. Social workers are coordinating with local agencies to ensure their safety and to begin the process of stabilizing their living situation.
The Pontiac case has sparked discussions about child welfare monitoring, school attendance policies, and community responsibility. Sheriff Bouchard urged residents, educators, and neighbors to be vigilant and proactive in identifying potential neglect, emphasizing that this case highlights the importance of timely intervention when children’s well-being is at risk.
The investigation is ongoing, with authorities seeking to fully understand the extent of the neglect and ensure that Teriomas Tremice Johnson is held accountable for her actions. Meanwhile, the children’s recovery and long-term safety remain the primary focus for both law enforcement and child protection services.
#PontiacMichigan #ChildNeglect #ProtectChildren #JusticeForKids #OaklandCounty #ChildAbuseInvestigation #CommunityAwareness #InProtectiveCustody
