Mom arrested after child missed 13 appointments for complications from brain surgery, police say

4 hours ago

WBBJ 7 Eyewitness News Staff,

SHREVEPORT, La. (KSLA/Gray News) – Police in Louisiana arrested a woman who is accused of medically neglecting her young child.

Officers went to the Louisiana State Office Building in Shreveport on March 9 in response to a welfare concern for a young child, according to police.

The initial report to police was made by a Louisiana Department of Children and Family Services caseworker who received information from multiple medical facilities about a potential case of child neglect of a 6-year-old.

According to the Department of Children and Family Services report, the child had brain surgery in October 2025 after being diagnosed with craniopharyngioma, or a brain mass.

The child was in need of consistent follow-up medical care because of complications after the surgery, including hypopituitarism, postoperative diabetes insipidus and secondary adrenal insufficiency.

Police said hospital staff reported that about seven appointments for the child were missed and six others were canceled since the surgery, despite attempts by staff to contact the mother, 39-year-old LaShonda Zenon.

The Department of Children and Family Services received a formal report about medical neglect on Jan. 14, according to police.

As the investigation continued, police said the Department of Children and Family Services received an order for custody of the child on Feb. 26.

Detectives tried to help the Department of Children and Family Services find the child at a Royalton Drive home, but several attempts were unsuccessful.

Investigators said the Department of Children and Family Services returned to the home on March 9 and saw Zenon inside. However, she reportedly refused to answer the door and would not pick up the phone. The Department of Children and Family Services still had custodial authority over the child at that time, but law enforcement did not have a legal order to enter the home.

On March 10, a judge issued an order allowing law enforcement to enter the home. At around 5:30 p.m., officers saw Zenon walk out of the house and put several items in a car before going back inside. She reportedly refused to answer the door for police again.

Officers then positioned themselves around the house and saw Zenon try to get away through the back with her children by climbing over a 6-foot wooden fence, authorities said.

Zenon was eventually arrested after a brief chase.

Police said the children were safely taken into the custody of the Department of Children and Family Services. They were crying, sweaty and visibly shaken at the time, according to the officers involved. They also had minor scrapes and cuts on their hands and feet from trying to climb the fence.

Zenon told investigators she had received a phone call from an unknown person before her arrest and had a “feeling” police were nearby. She said she went outside and saw police down the street, then grabbed the children to try to get away through the backyard.

Zenon also reportedly admitted that she had not taken the child to follow-up appointments because she was busy and did not have time.

Zenon is charged with possession of narcotics, resisting an officer by flight, obstruction of court orders and controlled dangerous substances in the presence of juveniles.

For more U.S. news, click here.