A Louisiana mother is facing criminal charges after authorities say she repeatedly ignored critical medical appointments for her young daughter following brain surgery — then attempted to flee police with the children when officers came to the home.

LaShonda Nikol Zenon, 39, was taken into custody Tuesday evening after an investigation into what officials described as possible medical neglect involving her 6-year-old daughter.

According to a news release from the Shreveport Police Department, the case began when a caseworker with the Louisiana Department of Children and Family Services received a report about a child who had undergone brain surgery but had not been brought back for necessary follow-up care.

Doctors at the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital Affiliate Clinic at Feist-Weiller reportedly raised the alarm after the girl underwent surgery in October 2025 to treat a craniopharyngioma, a type of brain mass.

Following the operation, doctors say the child developed a series of serious medical complications that required careful monitoring and ongoing treatment.

Among those complications were hypopituitarism, diabetes insipidus, and adrenal insufficiency — conditions that can become dangerous if not closely managed through regular medical care.

But investigators say the child’s mother never brought her back.

According to police, doctors reported that seven follow-up appointments were missed and six others were canceled after the surgery. Medical staff told authorities that repeated attempts to contact Zenon were unsuccessful.

Concerned about the child’s well-being, the Department of Children and Family Services opened a medical neglect investigation on Jan. 14. Authorities later obtained a custody order for the child on Feb. 26.

Detectives with the Shreveport Police Department attempted several times to locate the family at their residence in the 9000 block of Royalton Drive but were unable to make contact.

On March 10, a judge signed a court order allowing officers to enter the home if necessary. Police then began surveillance of the residence.

Around 5:30 p.m., officers observed Zenon outside placing items into a vehicle before she went back inside the house.

When officers approached to make contact, police say the situation quickly escalated.

“Zenon ran back inside and refused to answer the door,” the department said in its statement.

Officers positioned around the house then saw Zenon emerge from the back of the residence with the children and attempt to escape by climbing over a six-foot privacy fence.

Police pursued her on foot and were able to take her into custody after a brief chase.

The children were recovered safely and handed over to DCFS workers at the scene.

Authorities said the children appeared distressed after the ordeal.

Police reported that they were “crying, sweating, and visibly shaken,” and had minor scrapes from climbing the fence during the attempted escape.

According to local reports, Zenon later told investigators she had suspected police were nearby after receiving a phone call from an unknown person and noticing officers down the street.

She allegedly admitted the child had missed follow-up medical appointments but told investigators she had been busy and did not have time to take the child to them.

Zenon now faces multiple charges, including possession of Schedule I narcotics, resisting an officer by flight, obstruction of court orders, and possession of controlled dangerous substances in the presence of juveniles.

She was booked into the Caddo Parish Jail and is being held on a $10,000 bond.