Crowley Woman Charged with Three Counts of Cruelty to Juveniles

According to Sheriff Bobby J. Guidroz, “On May 11, 2022, the St. Landry Parish Sheriff’s Office received tip information from Crime Stoppers of Acadia Parish, which stated that Laquanda Guillory was wanted in Acadia Parish for 3 counts of child desertion and could be located at a home on the 4200 block of Highway 357 in the Opelousas area.” When St. Landry Parish Sheriff’s Office deputies arrived at the address, it was determined that the door to the residence was open and no one was at the residence, however, a blue van was parked in the driveway.  When the deputies looked inside the vehicle through the windows, a juvenile under the age of 12 and another juvenile under the age of 7 were sleeping in the 3^rd row of the van.  At this time, it was noted by deputies that the current temperature was 81°.  Deputies knocked on

the window but were unable to wake the juveniles.  Deputies were then met by another juvenile under the age of 11, who stated that they did not know the location of their mother, Laquanda Guillory.

Deputies awakened and removed the juveniles from the vehicle and allowed them to sit in the back seat of the air conditioned police unit.  All of the juveniles were shaking and sweat was dripping from their faces.  They also had a strong body odor due to poor hygiene and their clothing appeared to be dirty and stained.

While searching the residence, deputies noticed a strong, unclean odor coming from the residence and the lack of electricity.  Upon search of the rooms, it was determined that every room in the home was dirty, possible human waste was found in the bathroom sink, a window in one of the bedrooms was broken and leftover food was on the cabinets in the kitchen.  The residence was unable to be secured due to the doors not locking.

When questioned by deputies, the juveniles stated that their mother makes them sleep in the van due to no air conditioning in the home while she sleeps elsewhere.  They also stated that their mother returns in the morning to get the children ready for school.  One juvenile advised deputies that she was wearing the same school clothes since the beginning of the week.

Deputies then transported the juveniles to the St. Landry Parish Sheriff’s Office Safety Complex.

Later that evening, Laquanda Guillory called the St. Landry Parish Sheriff’s Office to report that she arrived home and her children were not at the residence.  Laquanda Guillory was advised that she would have to speak with the St. Landry Parish Sheriff’s Office Juvenile Detectives.  When she was questioned, Laquanda Guillory stated that she had to go to the laundromat located within the city limits of Opelousas to clean laundry.

On May 11, 2022, Laquanda Guillory was booked at the St. Landry Parish Jail and charged with 3 counts of Cruelty to Juveniles.

On behalf of Sheriff Bobby J. Guidroz, this is Deputy Chief Eddie Thibodeaux.  All persons are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.