Woman accused of abandoning child in near-freezing weather

Keosha Nikerria Lane

Keosha Nikerria Lane, 22, of Tifton was arrested April 21, 2026, and charged with cruelty to children, second degree – felony, abandonment of a child, and reckless conduct, according to the Lenox Police Department and Cook County Sheriff’s Office.

According to warrants taken by Lenox Police, at about 12:20 p.m. Dec. 15, 2025, on South Railroad Street, Ms. Lane caused her child to experience cruel or excessive physical or mental pain. She allegedly abandoned her 2-year-old child. The child was left unattended beside the road in 37 degree weather while only wearing a T-shirt and blue jeans, the warrants state. “Said act was such disregard as to constitute a gross deviation from the standard of care a reasonable person would exercise in the same situation.” Warrants further state that Ms. Lane has failed to support her minor legitimate child, leaving the child in a dependent condition.

Cook County Magistrate Judge Ronnie Fender signed the warrants for the arrest of Ms. Lane on Dec. 18, but authorities arrested her on April 21.

Ms. Lane was released from jail April 23 on a $12,000 property bond. Bond conditions include: Contact with the victim shall be supervised as per the recommendations and guidance from the Georgia Division of Family and Children Services. The defendant shall comply and cooperate with DFCS and all recommendations of the agency.

According to information reported during the first appearance/bond hearing in Magistrate Court, Ms. Lane has completed school through the 12th grade, has resided one year and four months at her current home address, and has been employed. The accused has requested a court-appointed defense attorney.

The Alapaha Judicial Circuit District Attorney’s Office is prosecuting the case, which is pending in Cook County Superior Court.