Two women from Milwaukee are confronting several felony charges after they left four young children alone in an apartment, which led to an 8-year-old girl being shot by a 4-year-old boy, according to court documents.
Nakia M. Piggee, 27, and Vanta’Jah Theresa Latrish Westmoreland, 21, face allegations of abandoning the children for around 40 minutes in a one-bedroom apartment that authorities have characterized as “filthy.”
Comprehensive police accounts depicted the apartment as cluttered with food remnants, soiled garments, and traces of cigarette ashes. In the bedroom, there were liquor bottles alongside diapers. A 2-year-old child with significant disabilities was discovered in a crib, equipped with arm casts, a feeding tube, and an oxygen tank.
The criminal complaint reveals that a loaded 9mm pistol belonging to Westmoreland was within easy reach of the children. Footage captured the women exiting the apartment at 4:06 p.m. and coming back at 4:45 p.m. following a call regarding the shooting.
An 8-year-old child was shot in the back and taken to Children’s Hospital for treatment. Initial remarks from the mother of the child suggested that the 4-year-old boy had gained access to the firearm and discharged it.
Two women are confronting several charges, among them child neglect that could result in significant bodily harm. The allegations span from serious Class F felonies to less severe Class I felonies, carrying possible fines reaching $25,000 and prison sentences that could extend to 12 years.
Authorities are pursuing a restriction that would prevent any interaction between the accused and the minors in question.
