Augusta Woman Arrested on Child Deprivation Charges
Authorities found three children living in a home without electricity, furniture, or a working toilet.
Updated on Sept. 23, 2026 in Child Care
Police in Augusta have arrested 27-year-old Mikayla White on three counts of deprivation of a minor. The charges follow the discovery of three children living in hazardous, unsanitary conditions at a residence on Cornell Drive.
Why it matters
The case highlights the severe health and safety risks facing children in substandard housing environments. Authorities have since moved the three children into the custody of their grandmother.
The residence at 1604 Cornell Drive is a 765-square-foot structure built in 1953 that last sold for $25,000 in July 2019. Officers discovered the home lacked basic utilities including electricity and a working toilet.
The players
Mikayla White
She is a 27-year-old woman currently facing three counts of deprivation of a minor.
Charles B. Webster Detention Center
This is the local correctional facility where Mikayla White is being held without bond.
The details
Officers responded to the 1604 Cornell Drive residence after a passerby found two boys, aged 5 and 3, walking alone on Olive Road. Inside the home, police reported finding feces, maggots, trash, bedbugs, and a total absence of bedding or furniture for the children.
Timeline
In July 2019, the property on Cornell Drive last sold for $25,000.
On September 22, 2026, at 12:45 a.m., two children were found walking alone on Olive Road.
Mikayla White was charged with three counts of deprivation of a minor on September 22, 2026.
As of the morning of September 23, 2026, White remained in detention.
Roadmap
This case reflects the ongoing enforcement of residential safety codes and child welfare standards within the Augusta housing market. It underscores the challenges local authorities face when addressing extreme neglect in aging, low-value property stock.
The discovery of children roaming unattended on Olive Road serves as a stark reminder to residents to contact local authorities immediately when seeing minors in danger. This investigation highlights the role of neighborhood vigilance in reporting unsanitary or unsafe living conditions.
The takeaway
Ensuring the safety of minors requires both community awareness and strict adherence to basic residential habitability standards. Residents are encouraged to report concerns regarding child welfare to the appropriate local agencies to ensure vulnerable youths are protected.
Further reading
Learn more about local support services in the Child Care section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The Augusta Press.
