OAKLAND COUNTY, Mich. – An Oakland County mom accused of abandoning her three kids and leaving them to live alone in squalor for years has had her communication privileges suspended for one week.
Kelli Bryant, 34, of Pontiac, who is facing child abuse and welfare charges, appeared in court on Tuesday, March 18, for a hearing before Judge Cynthia Thomas Walker.
Bryant violates court order
It was held to address Bryant violating the court’s order not to have any contact with her children or their caregiver.
This comes after the Oakland County Prosecutor’s Office filed a motion to revoke Bryant’s communication privileges after she allegedly called the kids' caregiver 10 times between March 8 and March 12, to discuss the case, and had other inmates contact the caregiver on her behalf.
No written copy of court order
During the hearing, Bryant’s defense attorney, Cecilia Quirindongo-Baunsoe, said they never received a written copy of the bond conditions that stated Bryant was to have absolutely no contact with the caregiver.
The attorney also told the judge she had no recollection of that being a court order.
“If I had known, I would have had a conversation with Ms. Bryant,” said Cecilia Quirindongo-Baunsoe.
The defense attorney said Bryant thought she just couldn’t talk about the kids, which she didn’t.
In one call, the kids were allegedly brought up by the caregiver, not Bryant.
Walker said it is customary for the court to enter orders from the bench, and that she didn’t believe there was anything unclear about what the court ordered.
Quirindongo-Baunsoe said now that Bryant knows, she won’t violate the order.
Ferency argued the judge was very clear in her order and said “At best, the defendant is skirting the line of compliance here your Honor.”
“She didn’t understand, she didn’t know. That is simply not a defense,” said Ferency. “Especially as she had actual knowledge and actual notice on March 7, 2025, with what the court ruled on the record.”
On March 7, Bryant’s bond was lowered to $50,000 from $250 million, with conditions, including the no-contact order.
Defense attorney: Why other inmates contacted the caregiver
There are two main concerns, according to Ferency.
One, that Bryant defied the order, but also that she violated the Oakland County Jail’s rules, and had other inmates contact the caregiver on her behalf.
“I’m not understanding why other inmates have made calls,” Walker said. “That is just baffling to me.”
Quirindongo-Baunsoe said Bryant is currently being held in a cell by herself and is only being let out once a day.
So, other inmates made the calls for her when she couldn’t get out of her cell.
But, the defense attorney said these calls were regarding the bond and not about the kids. The longest call another inmate made was about a minute long.
Judge orders one-week suspension
Walker ultimately issued a one-week suspension of Bryant’s communication privileges.
“At this point, it appears to me that there was a flagrant violation of the court order,” said Walker. “I am confident that you have now reviewed this with her, Ms. Quirindongo with your client, Ms. Bryant, so there will be no additional such calls. However, the violation is a flagrant one, so I am going to temporarily suspend her jail communication privileges for a period of one week because I want to make sure that she understands the court orders are exactly that.”
What if Bryant violates the order again?
Walker asked Ferency to follow up to ensure that Bryant makes no further violations.
If there are violations, Walker said she will schedule an emergency hearing within 24 hours of receiving notice.
Also, before court ended Quirindongo-Baunsoe said that she had a separate issue to discuss, but the judge said she would hear it at a later time.
Prosecutor releases statement
“I am grateful for Judge Walker’s decision to protect the juvenile victims in this case and suspend Kelli Bryant’s communications privileges for one week,” Oakland County Prosecutor Karen McDonald said in a statement following the hearing. “Ms. Bryant’s multiple contacts with her children’s caregiver put them at risk and violated the court order. The continued safety and wellbeing of the three children remain our primary concern as we move forward prosecuting this case.”
You can watch the full hearing in the video below:
