The Tennessee grandmother who was caught driving with her grandkids in dog kennels in the back of her SUV appeared in court for the first time on Monday.
Leimome Cheeks, 62, was charged with two counts of child endangerment during her hearing today. She is due back in court again on July 9.
Before the hearing, Cheeks sat outside the court room and turned down interview requests, according to the Commercial Appeal.
Leimome Cheeks, 62, was arrested on Sunday after video emerged of her releasing two of her grandkids from dog kennels in the back of her SUV. She’s pictured above outside court on Monday
Cheeks was charged with two counts of child endangerment on Monday. She’s seen above entering court on Monday
She was also seen talking on the phone outside of the hearing in video captured by WMC Action News.
Cheeks was arrested on Sunday after video emerged showing her releasing two of her grandkids, ages seven and nine, from dog kennels stored in the back of her Ford Explorer.
A witness recorded the children being let out of the kennels outside of Elvis’ Graceland Mansion on Saturday, and the video quickly went viral.
Once arrested a day later, Cheeks told cops that she put the kids in the kennels because she had run out of space in the car.
She said they were in the kennels for a 25-mile journey from her home in Whitehaven to Collierville.
The 62-year-old grandmother was caught on camera letting two of her grandkids out of dog kennels in the back of her car on Saturday
She later admitted to driving with the kids in the kennels for 25 miles
The children were interviewed by cops who said that it was hot in the back of the SUV because there are no vents in the rear of the vehicle
The children were questioned by police following their grandmother’s arrest.
Cheeks said she didn’t have any room for the kids anywhere else in the vehicle
The kids complained they were hot during the drive because there were no vents in the back of the vehicle.
They said Cheeks didn’t have air conditioning on and kept the windows closed.
Temperatures were in the mid-90’s Saturday in the city.
Cheeks said that she also drove with the kids in the kennels downtown, but checked on them periodically. She said they were later allowed to ride in the backseat.
After being arrested on Sunday, Cheeks posted $100 bond.
The children at the center of the case are not in the custody of the Department of Children’s Services, but DCS is investigating the family.
Neighbors of Cheeks expressed their shock after learning about the incident.
Skylark Blake told the local news outlet that Cheeks is ‘a nice lady’ and he ‘can’t see her doing that.’
Other residents called the grandmother, who cares for two puppies, a woman of strong faith.