OAKWOOD, GA – A Georgia mother faces charges after police found her teenage son severely malnourished at their Oakwood apartment, authorities said Tuesday.
Officers in Oakwood responded to a welfare check at an apartment on Peaks Circle on July 25, after reports that 44-year-old Hashabah Yehudah had not taken her 14-year-old son for urgent medical care as requested by doctors. When police arrived, they found the boy in a bedroom, lying on a towel atop the bed and weighing just 49 pounds—a weight considered dangerously low for his age, police said.
The investigation began after medical professionals repeatedly contacted Yehudah, urging her to seek immediate treatment for her son, who doctors said was in critical condition. Authorities say the mother allegedly ignored or screened calls from the hospital and her son’s doctor’s office in the days leading up to the wellness check.
Upon questioning, Yehudah allegedly told officers she wanted to increase her son’s iron levels at home before seeking medical care. She also stated that she did not realize the urgency of the situation.
Police acted quickly after witnessing the boy’s condition, contacting both state child services and Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta. Medical professionals confirmed the boy needed to be transported to a hospital immediately due to his life-threatening state, law enforcement officials said.
Oakwood police described the scene as an emergency and warned that the child’s life was in immediate danger. Following the intervention, the boy was taken to a local hospital and is currently receiving treatment. He has since been placed under the care of child welfare authorities.
Yehudah was arrested at the scene and booked into Hall County Jail on a charge of second-degree child cruelty. She remains in custody without bond. Court records do not currently indicate whether she has retained legal representation.
Residents in the apartment complex expressed shock and concern. Neighbors said they try to remain vigilant about the well-being of children in the community, though many had not seen the boy prior to the authorities’ arrival.
Community members voiced regret that the situation went unnoticed for so long, emphasizing their collective commitment to looking out for one another.
The Yehudah investigation remains ongoing as authorities continue to work with child protective services to ensure the boy’s long-term safety and health.