No child should ever feel abandoned. No child should ever suffer in silence. The Shreveport Police Department has responded to two terrible cases of child abuse in the last week. 

A heartbreaking call came from a 10-year-old child on March 26 who was alone, scared, and unsure when his mother would return. She had left hours earlier and never came back. Officers found he wasn’t even enrolled in school. Nicole Frederick was arrested for Neglect of Family, and DCFS stepped in to ensure the child’s safety.

A 15-year-old runaway was found at a hospital on March 27, but what he revealed was even more devastating. He spoke of physical abuse, being forced to sleep on a dog mat, denied showers, and forced to use a mop bucket instead of a restroom. DCFS immediately removed three other foster children from the home. Lisa Pittman was arrested for Cruelty to a Juvenile.

Children deserve love, safety, and dignity—not fear, neglect, and abuse. SPD will not stand for this. If anyone sees something, speak up. The SPD and the community can break the cycle of abuse.