(DOTHAN, Ala.) On Thursday, June 25, 2026, the Dothan Police Department responded to the 600 block of South Lena Street to investigate a report of suspected child neglect.
The investigation began after apartment maintenance personnel responded to a unit following reports of water leaking from the apartment. While attempting to locate the source of the leak, maintenance staff discovered a young child alone inside the two-story apartment.
Officers determined that the child, who is younger than 12 years old, was alone without adult supervision. The child was wearing only a shirt, and upon further investigation the apartment was determined to be in extremely unsanitary and unsafe living conditions. There was no food available in the residence, and the child’s sleeping area did not meet minimal acceptable living standards. It was also learned that the child is non-verbal and has intellectual developmental disabilities, requiring a heightened level of care and supervision.
The investigation revealed that the child’s mother had left the residence the previous evening and had traveled to engage in prostitution for financial gain. The mother was identified as Nykera Latrese Rich (27) of Dothan. Investigators contacted Rich, who was out of town at the time of the initial investigation. Rich returned to Dothan several hours later and turned herself in to the Dothan Police Department.
Dothan Police Department worked alongside the Houston County Department of Human Resources (DHR). Once the facts of the case were learned, DHR took custody of the child present along with a sibling who was not present at the time of this incident. Rich was charged with one count of Torture/Willful Abuse of a Child. Her bond was set at $15,000.
-Chief William E. Benny
You must be logged in to post a comment.