Two parents arrested in Shreveport after teen found abandoned in hotel room

DISCLAIMER: All persons are presumed innocent until proven guilty.

SHREVEPORT, La. (KTAL/KMSS) — Shreveport Police arrested two individuals after a teenager was found abandoned in a hotel room.

On Wednesday, April 2, police responded to a call at the Royal Inn, located at 1906 N. Market Street. Upon their arrival, officers discovered a 15-year-old female who had reportedly been left unsupervised for two weeks in what authorities described as deplorable living conditions.

Upon their arrival, officers noted that the victim had a strong odor, indicating poor hygiene. The teenager apologized for her appearance, explaining that she had not bathed in two weeks but had managed to find food on her own.

She informed the officers that her mother, Angela Herring, had left the hotel more than a week prior, saying, “I love you, be back soon,” and had not returned since.

“The room was a mess and she had visibly been there for an extended amount of time without any supervision,” said Shreveport Police Department Corporal Chris Bordelon. “She was able to send a text message from WIFI when she left the hotel room and had corresponded with her mom one time in that past week. The mom claimed that she had a flat tire and was in Texas.”

Officers were able to confirm that her father, Carey Herring, had been banned from the property around March 19 and had not been seen since. To make matters worse, the victim also mentioned that she had not attended school in approximately three years.

Shortly after, detectives from the Youth Services Bureau issued arrest warrants for both Angela and Carey Herring on charges of improper supervision of a juvenile and criminal neglect of a family.

“A situation like this, this child has obviously had a rough upbringing. Doesn’t really even understand what’s going on. Doesn’t even understand the circumstances that she’s having to live in. And can’t even comprehend how difficult her life is,” said Bordelon. “So we want to do what we can to get her the help so that she can grow up and try to outrun her past.”

Both individuals are currently being held at the Caddo Correctional Center while the incident remains under investigation. The girl is in the custody of Child Protective Services.

An emergency Gingerbread House assessment and drug screening were conducted on the child. According to Bordelon, based on those results, additional charges could be filed.