ATLANTA, GEORGIA — A Georgia woman accused of taking two young sisters while she was supposed to be babysitting them has now been formally indicted, moving the case into a more serious stage of the criminal process.

Lakesha Brown, 42, was indicted by a Fulton County grand jury on September 4, 2026, following her arrest in connection with the disappearance of 4-year-old Zola Cooper and her 11-month-old sister, Norah Cooper.

Brown was initially booked into the Fulton County Jail on two counts of kidnapping and two counts of first-degree cruelty to children. The girls were found alive on August 17 after an Amber Alert triggered an urgent search across Atlanta.

The children were taken for medical evaluation after officers located them inside a trailer on Sylvan Road and were later reunited with their family.

The Children Disappeared While in a Babysitter’s Care
According to investigators, Brown had built a relationship with the girls’ mother, Elica Redding, after the two connected through a Facebook group for mothers.

Redding told authorities she had known Brown for roughly a year before trusting her to watch the children.

The arrangement changed on August 15, when Brown was left alone with the two sisters.

Police said Brown later failed to return them to their mother as expected. Her explanations reportedly changed, including a claim that the children had been involved in a vehicle crash.

Redding contacted hospitals to determine whether the girls had been treated, but authorities said there was no hospital record matching the claim. She then contacted police, prompting an investigation and an Amber Alert.

Officers Heard a Baby Crying
The search eventually led investigators to a property in southwest Atlanta.

Police had used technology and information from residents to narrow down the location.

When officers reached the area, they heard a baby crying.

Investigators then searched a trailer and found both children inside.

Body-camera footage later released by Atlanta police showed officers using bolt cutters to gain entry and remove the girls. Brown was taken into custody at the scene.

The children were reported to be in good health when they were recovered.

Investigators Still Have Not Announced a Motive
Despite the successful recovery, one major question remains unanswered.

Authorities have not publicly established why Brown allegedly took the girls or what she intended to do with them.

Atlanta police have said the investigation remains active.

That means the indictment represents an important legal development, but it does not necessarily answer what investigators believe happened during the period the sisters were missing.

Investigators Say Brown Had a Similar Alabama Case
The Atlanta case also brought attention to an earlier criminal matter involving Brown.

Jail and court records indicate she has an outstanding warrant in Alabama involving an alleged 2021 kidnapping of a 4-day-old baby.

Authorities there say Brown allegedly posed as a babysitter in that case as well. Prosecutors have moved to revoke her bond following her new arrest in Georgia and her failure to appear for a scheduled court proceeding.

That Alabama allegation is a separate case and has not resulted in a conviction establishing that Brown committed the offense.

Another Georgia Investigation Involves an Alleged Fake Pregnancy
Police also say Brown was connected to another investigation in Paulding County in 2025.

According to the sheriff’s office, Brown allegedly told a man that she was pregnant and later claimed she had given birth, sending him photos of what appeared to be a newborn.

Deputies conducted a welfare check after the man became concerned.

Investigators now say Brown had not actually been pregnant and allegedly used photographs to support the false story.

She faces an obstruction allegation in connection with that separate investigation.

Again, that matter is separate from the Fulton County kidnapping case.

The Mother Says She Trusted Brown
Redding has described the experience as emotionally devastating.

She told FOX 5 that Brown had become someone she considered a family friend after meeting through an online mothers’ group.

That relationship is now a central part of the investigation because authorities say Brown spent considerable time building trust before being allowed to care for the girls alone.

For Redding, the most important outcome was that both children were ultimately found alive.

But the recovery did not eliminate the questions surrounding the days leading up to it.

The Children Were Found After an Amber Alert
The Amber Alert played a major role in mobilizing the public.

Authorities released information about the children and Brown as investigators worked to identify where they might have been taken.

Technology, tips from residents and police investigative work eventually brought officers to the trailer where the sisters were located.

The case ended with the girls being safely recovered rather than remaining missing for an extended period.

Brown Has Now Been Indicted
The latest court development occurred on September 4.

Fulton County records show that Brown was indicted after prosecutors presented the case to a grand jury.

An indictment allows the criminal prosecution to move forward, but it is not a finding of guilt.

Brown remains entitled to the presumption of innocence unless prosecutors prove the charges in court.

The earlier FOX 5 report had anticipated a court appearance on September 10, but the outlet subsequently updated the story to reflect that the indictment had already occurred.

What Happens Next?
The criminal case will now continue through Fulton County courts.

Prosecutors will have to present evidence supporting the kidnapping and child-cruelty allegations, while the defense will have the opportunity to challenge that evidence.

Investigators are also continuing to examine Brown’s other outstanding cases and the circumstances surrounding the children’s time away from their family.

No public report has established a definitive motive.

Latest Status — September 16, 2026
As of September 16, 2026, Lakesha Brown remains in the Fulton County Jail after being indicted on September 4 in connection with the disappearance of Zola Cooper and Norah Cooper.

The two girls were found alive on August 17 inside a trailer on Sylvan Road after police responded to an Amber Alert and located the property.

Brown faces two kidnapping counts and two first-degree cruelty-to-children counts in Georgia. Authorities have not publicly announced a confirmed motive for why she allegedly took the children.

She also faces separate legal issues connected to an Alabama kidnapping case and a Paulding County investigation involving an alleged false pregnancy. Those matters remain separate from the Fulton County prosecution.

For now, the biggest unanswered question remains:

Why did the woman the family trusted as a babysitter allegedly take the two sisters — and what was she planning to do with them?

The criminal case is now moving forward, while investigators continue searching for answers.

Lakesha Brown has not been convicted of the charges. The allegations must be proven in court.

Sources
FOX 5 Atlanta: Updated report on Brown’s indictment and the recovery of the two girls.