Mother Faces Three Counts of Child Neglect

Chelsea Stewart

By Jessie Williams

A 32-year-old Lafayette mother was charged with three counts of child neglect after local law enforcement discovered three of her young children alone in the roadway near their home.

According to an affidavit of complaint filed by responding Lafayette Police Officer Jake Ayers, he was dispatched to the Cothron Dr. residence on April 24, 2025 following reports of multiple toddlers in the roadway.

Upon his arrival, Officer Ayers observed a 3-year-old girl and a 2-year-old girl in the road in front of the home with no adult present. One of the toddlers was only wearing an open robe with no undergarments.

Their sister, a 7-year-old girl, was found alone on Ferguson Hill Rd.

While attempting to make contact with their mother, Chelsea Stewart, one of the children opened the door and went to wake her up.

Stewart advised police she was asleep and told the kids to stay inside the house.

According to Officer Ayers’ report, there have been multiple calls to the residence involving children being in the roadway.

The Department of Children’s Services was contacted and five children were removed from the home.

While law enforcement was at the residence, Stewart’s dog was running around the neighborhood, unleashed.

Stewart was taken to the Macon County Jail where she was booked on three charges of Child Neglect and one charge of Animal at Large.

Her bond was set at $50,000, and she is scheduled to appear in general sessions court on May 21, 2025.