A Louisiana woman was arrested after police say she left her young child alone at a Ponchatoula laundromat and drove away. Investigators later discovered the situation was part of multiple alleged attempts to abandon the child on the same day. The case has raised serious concerns about child safety and has led to several criminal charges.
Child Left Alone at Ponchatoula Laundromat
According to the Ponchatoula Police Department, officers responded to a laundromat in Ponchatoula, Louisiana, around 2:07 p.m. on Sunday, March 1, 2026.
Police were called after a witness reported seeing a woman drive away from the location while leaving her 8-year-old child alone inside the business.
By the time officers arrived at the laundromat, the woman had already left the scene.
Authorities say the child was not physically harmed during the incident.
Child Safely Reunited With Family
After police located the child at the laundromat, officers ensured the child was safe and brought them to the police department.
Officials later contacted family members, and the child was released into the care of a relative who came to pick them up.
Police confirmed that the child was unharmed despite being left alone.
Investigation Reveals Earlier Abandonment Attempts
While investigating the case, detectives learned that the laundromat incident was not the first time the child had allegedly been abandoned that day.
Authorities identified the suspect as 43-year-old Jeanette Edmonds of Tickfaw, Louisiana.
According to investigators, Edmonds had made two earlier attempts to abandon the child before leaving them at the laundromat.
Police say the earlier incidents included:
- An alleged attempt to leave the child at a local cemetery
- Another attempt at a nearby farm
Both earlier attempts reportedly failed before the laundromat incident occurred later that afternoon.
Suspect Located in Harvey and Arrested
Following the investigation, law enforcement agencies worked together to locate Edmonds.
Authorities eventually found her in Harvey, Louisiana.
The Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office took Edmonds into custody before transferring her back to Ponchatoula for processing.
Multiple Charges Filed
After being transported back to Ponchatoula, Edmonds was booked on several serious charges related to the incident.
According to police, the charges include:
- Cruelty to juveniles
- Child desertion
- Criminal abandonment
Officials have not released further details about the investigation or what may have led to the alleged incidents.
