Shreveport Police arrest two in child neglect and abuse cases

DISCLAIMER: All suspects are innocent until proven guilty.

SHREVEPORT, La. (KTAL/KMSS) – The Shreveport Police Department arrested two individuals in separate child neglect and abuse cases.

According to a press release, just before midnight on March 26, Shreveport Police officers responded to a call from a 10-year-old child. The child reported that his mother had left the residence around 5 p.m. and had not returned.

The SPD says officers attempted to contact the mother, Nicole Frederick, but were unsuccessful. Detectives with the Shreveport Police Juvenile Crimes Division were called to investigate and learned that Frederick had stated she was running errands but never returned home. Further investigation also revealed that the child was not enrolled in school.

Authorities say that the Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) was contacted and responded to the scene. Officers later located Frederick, who was taken into custody and charged with one count of Neglect of Family.

In a separate case, SPD officers responded to reports of a runaway juvenile. The 15-year-old was reported missing on March 9 but was later found at a local hospital.

According to the release, while at the hospital, the juvenile made alarming allegations of abuse, stating that his foster mother, Lisa Pittman, had been physically abusive. The juvenile further disclosed that he was forced to sleep on a dog mat or yoga mat, denied access to the restroom for showers, and was forced to urinate and defecate in a mop bucket outside the residence. Due to these allegations, the hospital admitted the juvenile for his safety.

Authorities say three additional foster children were removed from Pittman’s house by the DCFS. Four juveniles underwent forensic interviews, during which they corroborated the victim’s allegations of physical abuse, inadequate sleeping conditions, and being denied access to basic hygiene.

Following the investigation, police arrested Lisa Pittman, who faces one count of Cruelty to a Juvenile.

“The Shreveport Police Department takes crimes like these very seriously,” the release stated. “It is our duty as a community to protect our children and break the cycle of abuse. If you suspect child abuse or neglect, please report it immediately to the proper authorities.”