65°
Baton Rouge, Louisiana
7 Day Forecast
Follow our weather team on social media

The WBRZ Investigative Unit is here for you.

We are committed to serving our community. Watch our in-depth Investigative Unit reports throughout the day on WBRZ.com and the 6pm WBRZ News 2 newscast.  Check back daily for new reports and essential information from our team.

Send tips to investigate@wbrz.com

Police received multiple complaints about children living in squalor, mother now wanted for neglect

BAKER — Neighbors say a mother accused of leaving her six children alone in a home filled with rat feces has a history of leaving them for long periods of time. 

According to an arrest warrant, Baker Police officers were called to 31-year-old Brianna Carpenter's home along Wilson Drive on Sunday evening. Six children, ages 11, 10, 8, 7, 6 and 3, were in the house when officers arrived.

Baker Police Chief Carl Dunn said his officers have responded to calls about this family eight different times.

"Upon my research, I see that we have responded as far back as 2020 in a situation similar to this situation," Dunn said.

Inside Carpenter's home, officers said they found rat feces on the floor, furniture, in cabinets and the refrigerator. The only food found in the house was either spoiled or had mold on it.

Each mattress in the three bedrooms was soiled. Neither the toilet nor the bathtub worked.

A man who did not want to go on camera said the whole neighborhood is aware of the situation in this house. He said they would often feed and bathe the children themselves.

He said he would see the mother stop by about once a week and that most days the older children would get on the school bus if their grandmother was there in the morning.

For reasons still unclear, the children remained in the home despite police notifying the state.

"My clerk has mentioned this morning that I have several times emailed and referred this particular situation to DCFS," Dunn said.

DCFS did not respond to an email on Thursday requesting comment.

Carpenter is wanted for four counts of child desertion, one for each child under the age of 10, and six counts of cruelty to juveniles. She has not yet been located or arrested.

Grid
List
BAKER — Neighbors say a mother accused of leaving her six children alone in a home filled with rat feces... More >>
9 hours ago Thursday, April 16 2026 Apr 16, 2026 Thursday, April 16, 2026 6:59:00 PM CDT April 16, 2026 in News
ANGOLA — A 46-year-old Louisiana State Penitentiary inmate's death is under investigation by the West Feliciana Parish Sheriff’s Office, Department... More >>
1 day ago Wednesday, April 15 2026 Apr 15, 2026 Wednesday, April 15, 2026 10:37:00 AM CDT April 15, 2026 in News
ST. FRANCISVILLE — The WBRZ Investigative Unit has learned new details about the day a woman was found dead in... More >>
2 days ago Tuesday, April 14 2026 Apr 14, 2026 Tuesday, April 14, 2026 4:54:00 PM CDT April 14, 2026 in News
ST. FRANCISVILLE — The WBRZ Investigative Unit questioned a former St. Francisville Police officer charged in connection with a 2022... More >>
3 days ago Monday, April 13 2026 Apr 13, 2026 Monday, April 13, 2026 5:07:00 PM CDT April 13, 2026 in News
ST. FRANCISVILLE — The new St. Francisville police chief says he will work to rebuild community trust after WBRZ's Investigative... More >>
1 week ago Thursday, April 09 2026 Apr 9, 2026 Thursday, April 09, 2026 7:11:00 PM CDT April 09, 2026 in News
ST. FRANCISVILLE - A former St. Francisville Police officer was formally charged in connection with a 2022 overdose death. ... More >>
1 week ago Wednesday, April 08 2026 Apr 8, 2026 Wednesday, April 08, 2026 7:03:00 PM CDT April 08, 2026 in News
HOLDEN - Residents living along George White Road fear for their safety, blaming one property for having roaming and vicious... More >>
1 week ago Monday, April 06 2026 Apr 6, 2026 Monday, April 06, 2026 8:11:00 PM CDT April 06, 2026 in News
HAMMOND — Police seized a teenager's phones after people reported concerns about a TikTok video showing him dancing to a... More >>
2 weeks ago Thursday, April 02 2026 Apr 2, 2026 Thursday, April 02, 2026 8:12:00 PM CDT April 02, 2026 in News
BATON ROUGE — Baton Rouge Police Chief TJ Morse says interest in joining the department has skyrocketed since announcing plans... More >>
2 weeks ago Wednesday, April 01 2026 Apr 1, 2026 Wednesday, April 01, 2026 7:01:00 PM CDT April 01, 2026 in News
LIVINGSTON — A Livingston Parish man who was the subject of a documentary called "The Devil Wears Dunks" has been... More >>
2 weeks ago Wednesday, April 01 2026 Apr 1, 2026 Wednesday, April 01, 2026 6:51:00 PM CDT April 01, 2026 in News
BATON ROUGE - A Louisiana State Police trooper who allegedly covered up evidence and coerced a domestic violence victim to... More >>
2 weeks ago Tuesday, March 31 2026 Mar 31, 2026 Tuesday, March 31, 2026 1:49:00 PM CDT March 31, 2026 in News
BATON ROUGE — A man with a three-decade-long criminal career and multiple felony convictions was arrested over the weekend for... More >>
2 weeks ago Monday, March 30 2026 Mar 30, 2026 Monday, March 30, 2026 7:09:00 PM CDT March 30, 2026 in News

News tip form

Desktop News

Click to open Continuous News in a sidebar that updates in real-time.
Radar
7 Days