Mom Accused of Withholding Food from 8 Kids, Cramming Them All Into a Single Hotel Room To Live

Stay Plus Extended Stay Suites of Statesboro/Facebook

A Georgia mother allegedly starved her eight children and kept them all in one hotel room. Statesboro Police Department officers responded to the Stay Plus Extended Suites off Highway 67 on December 12, 2024. Upon arrival, they found a 14-year-old, two 12-year-olds, a 7-year-old, a 5-year-old, a 4-year-old, a 3-year-old, and a 1-year-old. Brittany Shannel Fields, 36, reportedly didn’t feed the children, putting their health and well-being in danger.

WTOC reported that police arrested Fields on December 19. Her charges stemmed from accusations of “willfully depriving children of necessary sustenance to the extent that the children’s health or wellbeing is jeopardized.” Police noted they are unsure if Fields has other children. She allegedly told police at the time of her arrest she might be pregnant.

Following her arrest, she’s facing 13 counts of felony cruelty to children in the first degree. WTOC spoke with Fields’ mother, who reportedly said her grandchildren are in the care of their fathers.

Despite the prosecutor’s request to deny bond, superior Court Judge Michael Muldrew granted her a $15,000 bond, per WTOC. Fields cannot have contact with the eight children involved in the case. She also cannot use alcohol or drugs, and she cannot have weapons or involvement in any other crimes. She reportedly bonded out of jail on February 14, 2025.

Per the Georgia Virtue, Fields has prior abuse accusations against her. In a sworn affidavit from 2022, a witness explained, “I have witnessed [the child] harboring food…The children are usually outside running around in soiled diapers. Ages 1-6 year olds. All of the children have foul odors and have often stated that they have not ate and are hungry.

“I have taken food for all of the children on numerous occasions,” the witnesses added in the affidavit. “Several of my friends and family members whom live on [address] have contacted me stating that the children are being left at home for days without proper supervision…” 

In addition, the Georgia Department of Human Services sought recovery of child support payments against Fields in 2016. In 2019, the department filed a complaint for contempt for nonpayment. Per the Virtue, Fields owes more than $4,000 in back child support payments.

It’s unclear when Fields will appear in court next.