MONDAY, DECEMBER 1, 2025

PONTIAC, Mich. – Kelli Bryant, the 34-year-old Pontiac woman who is accused of effectively abandoning her three children to live alone for years, pleaded no contest to three counts of Welfare Fraud Monday in Sixth Circuit Court.

Bryant’s plea to all three counts as charged was made without any sentencing agreement or offer of leniency from the Oakland County Prosecutor’s Office. Bryant still faces trial on three counts of First Degree Child Abuse.

 “The resolution of the Welfare Fraud charges in no way impacts the case against Kelli Bryant on the more serious allegations of Child Abuse,” said Prosecutor McDonald. “We fully intend to hold her accountable for the abuse these children suffered because of her alleged neglect.”

 First Degree Child Abuse is punishable by any number of years in prison, up to life. A pretrial hearing is scheduled for January 28, 2026.

 Charges are accusations and individuals are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

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CONTACT: OCPOmedia@oakgov.com