A troubling child welfare case in Louisiana has led to the arrest of a mother accused of medical neglect after allegedly failing to take her young daughter to important follow-up appointments following brain surgery.
Authorities say the child developed serious medical conditions after the operation that required ongoing medical care, but several scheduled appointments were missed or canceled. The situation eventually prompted an investigation by child welfare officials and police.
Louisiana Mother Arrested for Alleged Medical Neglect After Child’s Brain Surgery
A 39-year-old woman, LaShonda Nikol Zenon, was arrested in Shreveport after authorities said she failed to take her 6-year-old daughter to important medical appointments following brain surgery.
According to the Shreveport Police Department, Zenon was taken into custody Tuesday evening and faces multiple charges, including:
- Possession of Schedule I narcotics
- Resisting an officer by flight
- Obstruction of court orders
- Possession of controlled dangerous substances in the presence of juveniles
Police said the case began after concerns were raised about possible medical neglect.
Doctors Reported Missed Medical Appointments
The investigation started when a caseworker from the Louisiana Department of Children and Family Services reported concerns about the child.
Doctors at the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital Affiliate Clinic at Feist-Weiller said the girl had undergone brain surgery in October 2025 to treat a craniopharyngioma, a type of brain tumor or mass.
After the surgery, the child reportedly developed several serious medical conditions, including:
- Hypopituitarism
- Diabetes insipidus
- Adrenal insufficiency
Doctors said these conditions require careful monitoring and consistent medical care.
However, medical staff reported that seven appointments were missed and six additional visits were canceled. Attempts to contact the child’s mother reportedly went unanswered.
Authorities Launched Medical Neglect Investigation
Child welfare officials opened a formal medical neglect investigation on January 14.
Later, on February 26, authorities obtained a custody order for the child.
Detectives attempted several times to locate the girl at the family’s home on Royalton Drive in Shreveport but were unable to find her.
Police Arrested Mother After Attempted Escape
On March 10, a judge authorized police to enter the home if necessary.
Officers began watching the residence and later saw Zenon outside placing items into a vehicle.
When officers approached the home to speak with her, police said she ran back inside and refused to open the door.
According to investigators, officers surrounding the house then saw her climb over a six-foot privacy fence with the children and attempt to flee.
After a short foot chase, police arrested her.
Authorities said the children were recovered safely but appeared crying, sweating, and visibly shaken, with minor scrapes from climbing the fence.
Mother Admitted Missed Appointments
According to investigators, Zenon later told police she suspected officers were nearby after receiving a phone call from someone warning her.
She allegedly admitted that the child had missed follow-up medical visits after the surgery, reportedly saying she had been busy and did not have time to take her daughter to the appointments.
The children were placed in the care of the Department of Children and Family Services.
Mother Held on Bond
Zenon was booked into the Caddo Parish Jail.
Authorities said her bond was set at $10,000. It was not immediately clear when she would appear in court.
