Shreveport woman files federal lawsuit following 2025 arrest

The suit stems from White's July 5 arrest on three counts of criminal neglect of family after Shreveport police officers and child welfare officials alleged conditions inside her apartment at Village Square Apartments were unlivable. White, a mother of three, was jailed for several days.

The Caddo Parish District Attorney's Office did not pursue the case after records showed White had repeatedly sought extermination services from apartment management to address pest infestations.

White alleges that she suffered significant personal and professional harm as a result of the arrest and the public attention surrounding the case. She also claims she was mistreated while incarcerated and was not provided adequate medical care as a nursing mother.

"I lost so much from what this man did to me," White said during the news conference.

The lawsuit names the City of Shreveport, former Shreveport police officer Aaron Brown, NMI Village Square LLC and Tra-Dor Management LLC as defendants.

Shabazz argued that apartment management, rather than White, should be held responsible for the living conditions that led to the arrest.

 "Why was Ms. White arrested when this is a negligent and corrupt management of this apartment complex?" Shabazz said.

Shreveport Police Department spokesman Cpl. Chris Bordelon responded to the lawsuit’s allegations, saying the officers acted on probable cause based on conditions observed inside the residence.

"The district attorney's office works on beyond reasonable doubt. We work off of probable cause," Bordelon said.

Bordelon said officers observed poor living conditions and noted that the children appeared unclean and in soiled clothing. He said officers contacted the Louisiana Department of Children and Family Services because they believed it was necessary to protect the children's well-being.

"Just because a case is dismissed does not mean that probable cause was not present," Bordelon said.

White said the arrest damaged her reputation and disrupted her life.

"I took care of my kids. I'm not a liar. I'm telling the truth. But nobody heard me," she said.

Advocates supporting White said the case highlights the need for crisis intervention approaches that rely on trained social service professionals rather than criminal enforcement.

Bordelon said Brown is no longer employed by the Shreveport Police Department. His departure was unrelated to White's case.

White and her legal team said they also hope to meet with Mayor Tom Arceneaux and other city leaders to discuss reforms.