You left a 9-month-old and a 6-year-old in the car for hundreds of people to walk past. >> Right. >> On July 7th, 2024, someone called 911 after finding two children alone in a mall parking lot. A 9-month-old and a 6-year-old. Their mother had gone inside to pick up a food order. The cameras would later show she was gone for nearly 30 minutes. This is proof on record. >> My car, I pulled up, I saw them. I asked if they were all right. They said they were all right. >> Yeah. >> She said she went in there for 5 minutes. She can explain if she wants. I'm fine. She, you know, >> I'm just irritated. >> She had >> her, I was irritated by the situation. It took me more time to find my car in this big-ass parking lot than it did to get my food. >> Okay. >> But, I just see what >> She did. >> Okay. >> I don't know why y'all got down here for. >> Maybe 10 minutes. >> Okay. >> It wasn't an hour, it wasn't, you know, >> Okay. Were the kids like sweating or >> The temperature He said he was sweating, but she said they were like cool. Obviously, >> His shorts were wet, we just got out the swimming pool. His clothes are still wet. >> Okay. >> Like, I'm This is from me being outside. >> Is there a reason you left them in the car and you didn't take them in there with you? >> The baby was asleep, and he I was like, "Okay." And then I couldn't find a parking spot closer, so I pulled up over there. But, like, they both fell out the back of the [ __ ] Y'all want me to take them out of the car seats? >> Are they okay? >> I understand y'all got called but the, you know, when we get a call something >> That's why I'm saying. But, let me tell you I'm a mandated reporter. I I worked I worked at a rehabilitation centers. I'm a HST, I'm a DSP, I I got all that. I know. Trust me, I get it. What I'm telling you is is that it was just cold a few minutes ago. It was breezy as hell, and we had just got out the pool, and it started raining. So, I was not going to bring him in there with me. And knowing that I had to walk around him, no, I wasn't. So, yes, I did leave him. Yes, I did leave my windows down. No, I was not lollygagging or nothing like that. I ordered my food. My food My phone is dead. Otherwise, I was going to show y'all I ordered my food before I even went in. All I had to to is wait in line to pick my food up. Then I It took me longer to find my car. All I kept doing was this cuz this parking lot big as [ __ ] And you see my plates from North Carolina, I just moved back out here. So, I'm not familiar with this mall. I'm not. So, yes, I'm I'm sorry, but no. Like I didn't nothing. I'm still so sorry. >> do you think you were gone for? >> It wasn't long at all. I don't know, [ __ ] I just know it wasn't long at all. My fault. >> 15 20 minutes? >> No, not no 10 15 20 minutes. No, none of that. But I mean hey, I mean as y'all could tell, he's not >> You feel me? He looks a little funny, but I don't know if it's I mean it's the windows down. >> Yeah, you you got to understand you can't just be leaving your kids unattended like that. I understand >> Okay, but I want to go in there and grab your food. >> All right. >> No, their food. >> Wait, their food? >> Yeah, yeah, but okay. >> Um especially in this hot weather, you know? >> It was That's what I'm saying, but it was just windy and it was just raining, like what? That's why we got out of the pool. That's why I left them in there because he still has wet clothes on. My son literally was just like, "Mom, can we go to Carndel? We just came from the pool." And I was like, "It's right over here." >> Might as well. We're right over here. >> We have to go home after this. We live out here in Lake Forest. I would never just sit there and neglect my babies. They all all I have. Y'all see how they looking at me? They're the biggest >> 1903 >> Yep. >> What's the year? >> Yeah. Yep. 6065 605 63 whatever. What should we say? It's all good. >> Um Do you mind if I touch your son? >> I mean you see how hot it is? The car not on? Like damn. Please don't touch my son. Can you touch him? Go ahead. Like what the This is what I'm saying. You want car going to do all this and this is exactly what I was telling her. This is why I was frustrated because this this the opportunity to take to do [ __ ] by snatch or trying to snatch kids. >> Just hang tight for me real quick a minute. We're trying to figure out how long your kids were in the car by themselves. That's all we're trying to That's going to determine what we're going to do with where steps. >> yeah. That's fine I Because [ __ ] this mall big as [ __ ] I was on one side of the other. It took me longer to get to the car than it did ever to get the food. >> So, it took you a while to find where you were going in there? >> What you mean? Like to get to the car or what? Yeah, yeah, like it's confusing as hell. I'm steady walking past it. It's right there by It's right there by the front of the mall. That's why I had to ask the guy and stop the actual man. I literally went in there, my phone died, I had to put my phone on a charger. It literally came off cuz they got a fast charger after like not even a whole minute. Paid for my food, then I came back out here was steady doing this. I wasn't nowhere near my car cuz it didn't go off. Then I see her truck and I'm like, "Hmm, I'm going to go ask her to come help me find my car." Next thing you know, she's telling me that they done called y'all to come get my kids. >> So, do you have access to the camera? >> They do or don't? >> see if you're doing that access. >> Yeah, if you could, just to >> So, we're going to be out here for a while cuz I ain't got no AC no more. >> Where? >> Bathroom 7 over there. >> I don't even know where where this [ __ ] Right there in front of me? >> It's going to be the bathroom over by >> I can see if something was wrong with my kids. Like y'all act like >> Well, well, here's here's the issue. >> Like y'all got to remember, I'm out here by myself from North Dakota. I have nobody. >> Okay. But that's >> I was getting the food. I didn't go in there and I didn't go shopping. I didn't do none of that. Like he was asleep. I was trying to be a decent mother and let him sleep and stay in his car seat. We just came from swimming. >> She said she was going to come back or >> I ain't never left my baby. I ain't never sat there and just disowned my kids. I take pride >> We're not saying you disowned them. We're just saying that you abandoned them for a while and then came back. >> Yeah, you left them to How How old is he? >> going to argue with you. Okay, I'm >> He's probably two? >> No, he's eight He's nine months He'll be nine months on the 13th. >> Um even worse then. I'm >> When he's sleeping in a car when it was just raining? We just came out of the pool. You see what I'm saying? >> You say you're a mandated reporter, then you should know this inside and out. That is complete neglect to leave a 9-month-old in a car that is unlocked in this heat. And leave him. That is >> It wasn't hot. That's That's why I kept him in the car. It was literally raining after we got out of the pool. Exactly. Now I do. Yes, I get it. >> And and even if it wasn't hot out, you left a 9-month-old in a car >> He's just give me a second. >> Hundreds of people that walk past. >> Right. >> This kid could be in Will County by now. >> Right. >> That is totally unacceptable on a mother level. >> Right. Okay, well, let's just hopefully pray that >> only did you just leave one, you left two. These kids cannot fend for themselves. >> Right. >> So, I don't see why you're thinking this is no big deal. It's a complete big deal with your actions. >> The officer builds the timeline carefully and patiently. She says 5 minutes, maybe 10. The officer does not argue with her estimate. He lets her talk. And as she talks, the timeline builds itself. Phone died, had to charge it, walked in circles, could not find the restaurant, asked a woman in the middle of the mall for directions, picked up the food, came back out, could not find her car. Saw a stranger's truck and walked over to ask for help finding it. That is when she learned officers were already with her children. The officer explains why none of that changes what happened. You left a 9-month-old and a 6-year-old in an unlocked vehicle in a mall parking lot. That is the fact. The temperature, the rain, the wet clothes, the sleeping baby, the intention behind it, none of those things are legal defenses to child endangerment. They are context. The law does not grade endangerment on intention. She works in rehabilitation. She is a mandated reporter. She knows better than most people exactly what this looks like from the other side. The officer points that out gently, but he points it out. >> I'm just frustrated because RIGHT NOW THIS IS THEY'RE ALL I GOT. Y'ALL SITTING HERE TALKING ABOUT IT'S NOT ACCEPTABLE. OKAY, I get that. It wasn't on purpose to sit here and act like I was just completely neglecting my kids. I left them in here with good intention. I was trying to make sure he didn't get sick. Okay, we just got out of the pool. You see I'm still I'm still soaked. So yes, I did TRY TO LEAVE MY KID AND MAKE sure that I took care of him. If that's neglectful cuz I left them in there and the car in there got hot and people sitting in there. Okay, cool. I get it. But y'all sitting here basically trying You feel me? Like it's making me feel like y'all trying to take my kids. I don't have [ __ ] but them. So yes, if I'm wrong for going to get food, okay. I'm adult enough to sit there and take that accountability. >> even knowing the exact time frame that they're going to see on the cameras, just a statement from you that you're walking around the mall trying to find it and then the fact that you don't even know where the car is that you admitted you couldn't even find your car. >> door cuz I walked in that door. >> were walking around in the parking lot. So that is >> Uh-huh. I I >> You lost these kids in a parking lot for X amount of time while you're tooling around the mall >> Right. >> and then you can't even come back and find them. >> Right. >> Do you see where the issue is with that? >> Right. Well, it didn't take me long. But okay. But if y'all is on like if that's how y'all going to do, I need to call my mom because at this point it's giving that y'all trying to snatch my [ __ ] kids. And that's not I'm really not really not okay with that at all. Worst case this is an innocent act of y'all trying to grab my kids some [ __ ] food and leaving my baby in the [ __ ] car. I'm so [ __ ] sorry. I will never do it again. I've seen people leave their kids in here with windows rolled up all type of [ __ ] Them there finna [ __ ] die. I left the windows down and everything. Both two and three years old. Give me a [ __ ] break. Damn, I'm trying to do all this [ __ ] on my [ __ ] own. So I'm sorry. I'm sorry that I [ __ ] up. I'm sorry, but does that mean y'all can come around and just snatch my [ __ ] kids saying that I just don't take care of them? >> to take the next steps. We are required, okay? Since you're a mandated reporter, you know how that works, correct? >> Listen, I don't need y'all taking that and just throwing it at me. I'm emotional right now. I'm not trying to be a I'm not trying to be nothing. This is not personal. >> need to understand >> Cuz I understand. What I'm telling y'all is that this [ __ ] is hurtful right now because I get it. I did not expect it to go from trying to get food to this. That's what I'm telling you. So, yes, I'm taking a downfall as a mother. It hurts my heart because this is my fault. That's what it's seeming like. It's all my fault and I [ __ ] up. So, yes, my feelings are hurt. Yes, I'm emotional. Yes. Yes, this is all I have. >> I also understand >> that's 9 and 1/2 hours away. I have nobody. >> I'm not saying that I don't. I'm just telling you where I'm coming from. I understand. >> We're trying to salvage it. We're not trying to snatch your kids, but we're going to do the next steps that we're required to do as Mesa officers. >> going to just calm down and just let y'all do y'all job cuz I'm just mad and I just I'm not trying to let this [ __ ] go overflow on y'all, but that [ __ ] I've seen this [ __ ] happen and I've never thought I'd be the person to deal with it. Again, yes, I get it, but whatever. >> And I understand they're kids, but you can't just leave your kids unattended in a in a hot vehicle. Maybe to you it wasn't hot, but leaving them for 5 to 10 minutes that is neglect. Okay. And you can't You can't just leave your kids unattended though. That's That's our point. >> saying. I'm not arguing with you. That's what I'm trying to tell you. I get it. What are you going to do for me right now? I just need to know. Like probably >> They're trying to get a time stamp as how long your kids were in the car because they're saying 10 minutes. >> Can you call my [ __ ] mama right now? I don't have nobody. Y'all don't understand that. It's just me and my kids. >> Okay. >> So, do y'all know how far Kong dog is? It's literally like right here. >> [music] >> Okay, so you're saying I'm just going to clarify some questions with you, okay? You said it was about 10 minutes, right? >> I ma'am, I'm not going to sit here and lie to you, cuz I really honestly >> needed I I can't stay here much longer. Listen to me. Okay, I have to do a police report regardless, okay? >> that. I'm not trying to stop y'all from nothing. I promise >> So, I need I need to ask you some questions, and you just have to give me approximate what you think, okay? Because I need it for the police report. >> like 10 minutes. Like Kong Dog is literally right in there. You take a left, and you go like three, four stores down, and he can even vouch for me. It's not that far. >> that. But, you said you were walking circles around it, and you couldn't find it. >> Yeah, like I kept walking past it, like the entrance right there. I just cuz I thought it was about a 5-minute >> That's why I'm just not believing 10 minutes. 10 minutes I would believe you if you went straight there and back, but if you said you were lost in there and walking circles and past it. One second, let me finish. >> The parking lot. >> You're walking circles in there, walking back and forth past it, and then you come out here, and you couldn't find your vehicle, either. And then you're walking around, and then you see the security, and then it just happens the security is out with your vehicle and your children. >> Right. Now >> that's all got to be longer than 10 minutes. I'm not saying it's an hour, but it's more than 10 minutes. >> That door I walked in specifically. My GPS map before my phone died it said that it was on level one. So, I walked by the fountain. The fountain is like down. All you got to do is take a straight shot. It wasn't down there. I walked back. Then I asked the lady, the Docs lady in the middle of the mall, she's selling ice cream. I asked her, I said, "Ma'am, can you please tell me where Kong Dog is?" I went to Kong Dog, picked up my food, 5:40, order number 540. Got my stuff, left, came out here, made sure I walked back from that way all the way through the same door, cuz I had my trademark. Walked out this door, I was doing like this, walking out. I couldn't hear my car. I seen her. I wasn't trying to waste no time. I actually came right over to her. Boom, she's at my car. So, my car didn't sound off, but I walked out the same door. So, you feel me, like it didn't take like no This parking lot big as [ __ ] So, yes, automatically, as soon as I came out here I did this, cuz I did not remember exactly spot on where my vehicle was, yes. But, for me to just be walking around, you feel me, like >> And then do you understand that it's hot for your kids to be Okay, you understand that. >> It was like this when I left That's what I'm trying to tell y'all. Literally, like we came leave them >> that it's neglect? >> No matter how long you leave your kids for, >> Do you understand that it's neglect? >> in my [ __ ] head. I don't even understand how >> Okay. >> I don't even I don't I don't even I don't even I would never neglect [ __ ] I won't even use the [ __ ] word neglect at this [ __ ] point cuz this [ __ ] is just like this traumatizing that I even have to deal with this. Like I get it. Thank god my kids is okay. Thank god I wasn't gone and one of the moms that left the windows open, etc., etc., but it will never happen again. >> what would have happened if your kids would have gotten snatched or something? >> Right. >> Right, because the windows are down. >> I it would all be my fault. Exactly. >> And that's too many things. You can't leave your kids unattended no matter how long it is. >> I won't leave them in >> that the baby was sleeping and you just wanted to run in there quick, but you can't be doing that. >> I won't do it ever. Ever, ever, ever, ever, cuz this is too much. >> So just so that we're all clear and you're not wondering anything, you're technically getting arrested, but we're releasing you >> on >> on scene. It's a class A misdemeanor for endangering the life and health of a child and leaving children under the age of 14 unattended. We We We could, if we wanted to push the issue as far as we could, we could take you in and then bring the children in, too, and then have to turn them over to DCFS. We don't see that fit for this situation. We see it as one bad mistake and this is a learning lesson to move forward. So, we're going to give you a piece of paper. It's the same as if you were arrested and brought in. And then you have a court date and you can go to court and testify as to why you believe >> There's no one in there. That's fine. Okay. Yeah, I'd rather just take that than go to jail. Okay, whatever. That's just [ __ ] horrible >> So, we're going to fill some paperwork >> bodily harm, whatever. What the [ __ ] >> No, there's no bodily harm. It's just endangering the life and health of a child and one of that aspect One of those aspects is leaving children under 14 unattended. >> It's mind-blowing for me that you would It's mind-blowing that this could all happen in a couple minutes from me just going to try to get SOME FOOD. IT'S MIND-BLOWING that I work with kids and yet you'll leave a 9-month-old and a 6-year-old unattended. I work with the dogs. I work with crackheads. I work with felons. I work with all that [ __ ] I work with everything. I wasn't trying to have my child get sick. I don't think you understand that, but I get it. I get it. I get it. Something >> And then I just don't want you to be surprised either. As you know, as a mandated reporter, we will have to report this to DCFS. So, they might come to your house. They might give you a phone call, but unfortunately, that's the result of the situation where >> Unfortunately, that's the result of my stupid break. >> So, since we're not going to take you in, we're going to release you on scene, okay? So, you got to go to court um next month on the 5th at 9:00 a.m. Okay? Also, because I'm not taking you in, you got to go in for your uh your fingerprints before the 23rd of next month. Or this month, I'm sorry. Okay? And it's only Sundays and Tuesdays at that hour. Okay? Can I take your picture? >> Right now? >> It's for because I'm not taking you in the booking, we got to take a picture of you, okay? >> I guess yeah. Let me just first >> She breaks down completely. She says they are all she has. Her family is 9 and 1/2 hours away. She is 23. She is alone. She was trying to get them food. She left the windows down. She never meant for any of this. Every one of those things is true, and none of them change the charge. Under Illinois law, leaving a child under the age of 14 unattended in a motor vehicle is a class A misdemeanor. The statute does not require that the child be harmed. It does not require a specific temperature threshold. It requires that the child be left unattended in circumstances that could endanger their health or safety. An unlocked vehicle in a public parking lot with a 9-month old inside for approximately 30 minutes satisfies that standard. The officer then does something worth recognizing. He gives her the outcome she deserves, but not the harshest version of it. She is not taken to booking. She is not transported to the station. She is released on scene with a court date, a fingerprint appointment, and a criminal charge that will go before a judge. Her children stay with her. He tells her they view this as one bad mistake and a learning lesson. He also tells her DCFS will be notified because he is legally required to report it. That part is not optional. That is what mandatory reporting looks like from the officer's side, not punitive, required. She says, "This is the result of my stupidity." That is the most honest thing said in this entire encounter. She went to get her kids some food. She came back to a police report and a court date. The cameras confirmed she was gone nearly 30 minutes. The 9-month-old could not have asked anyone for help. The 6-year-old could not have protected either of them. The officer's right. It was a big deal. The outcome, children safe, mother charged but not booked, DCFS notified, is the system working the way it is supposed to work for a first-time mistake with no injury. Nothing in this video is legal advice. We are not practicing attorneys. All commentary is for education, awareness, and accountability. This is proof on record.