A Memphis, Tennessee, woman was charged with child endangerment after video of her confining her grandkids to pet kennels surfaced on social media over the weekend.
Leimome Cheeks, 62, allegedly drove with her two grandkids, ages 7 and 8, in dog cages in the back of her SUV in 95-degree weather. Cheeks was arrested Saturday and posted bond Sunday, WREG reported.
The children told police their grandmother had them sit in dog cages because there was no room in the back seat of her Ford Explorer — adding there were no vents in the back of the car to keep them cool.
Cheeks admitted traveling with the kids from Whitehaven to Collierville, which is a 35-minute drive.
“Cheeks further advised they also drove downtown, however she checked on the children periodically and later removed them from the kennel and put them in the rear seats of her vehicle,” according to a police affidavit obtained by USA Today.
Cheeks’ neighbor Camilla Cowan says she was shocked to see the video on Facebook but thinks Cheeks didn’t realize she was doing anything wrong.
“I don’t think she knew because she loves her grandkids,” Cowan told Fox 13. “They’re always outside playing with the dogs and stuff.”
Cheeks recently bought two German shepherd puppies, neighbors told WREG.
“I think she needs some help. Something is going on with her. If she did that, then that’s out of character for her,” another of Cheeks’ neighbors, Eugene Richmond, told the local station.
Cheeks was due to appear in court Monday morning.