Home / Crime and Justice / Mom Arrested for Child Neglect After Brain Surgery Missed
Mom Arrested for Child Neglect After Brain Surgery Missed
13 Mar
Summary
- Mother arrested for failing to attend child's critical post-op appointments.
- Child, 6, previously underwent brain surgery for a diagnosed mass.
- Police found children shaken and sweaty while attempting to flee.
A mother in Louisiana, LaShonda Zenon, 39, was arrested on Monday, March 9, 2026, following allegations of child neglect concerning her 6-year-old son. The arrest came after a Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) caseworker was alerted by medical facilities about the child missing crucial post-operative care. The boy had brain surgery in October 2025 for a craniopharyngioma, or brain mass, and suffered complications including hypopituitarism.
Zenon was instructed to seek consistent follow-up medical care, but hospital staff reported approximately seven missed appointments and six cancellations. Despite attempts to contact Zenon, the child's necessary medical attention was delayed. DCFS initiated an investigation on January 14, 2026, and obtained an order for custody on February 26.
Law enforcement initially could not locate the child or speak with Zenon at her residence. A judicial order on March 10, 2026, allowed officers entry. Zenon was apprehended with her three children, aged 14, 11, and 6, as they attempted to flee over a fence. The children, visibly distressed and with minor injuries sustained during their escape, were placed in DCFS custody. The 6-year-old son received the required medical care upon being secured.
