Memphis Mother Faces Four Counts of Child Neglect

A Memphis mother, Keenia Haynes, 35, faces four counts of child neglect for allegedly leaving four of her eight children home alone during the day while she went to Kroger. Police responding to a child welfare concern found two children, ages 2 and 3, in the street nearly struck by a car and directed officers to a nearby home where two infant twins were unresponsive in car seats; the residence was dirty and lacked air conditioning. A bleach bottle was found in the kitchen and one child was seen attempting to drink from it. Paramedics fed the infants, who became responsive, and Haynes later returned home carrying a beer, claiming she had been gone about 30 minutes. The other children, aged 7, 8, 12, and 13, were at school at the time, with the Tennessee Department of Children’s Services arranging custody for all eight children. Haynes is set to appear in court on a bond or court date as investigators continue to build the case.