Two kids left alone inside a car, one of them even bolting into traffic. On March 27th, 2022, officers rushed to a Walmart parking lot after a disturbing 911 call. >> Hello. >> Hi. >> You a call? >> Yeah. >> Okay. He's in here. >> Yeah. >> Okay. All right. >> Okay. >> There's another little boy. >> Yeah, that's what they were saying. I got another guy coming. is going to go inside. So, I guess somebody else brought the other child inside. >> Yeah, the the woman that drives this car right here. >> This one? The silver one? >> Okay. Did you Did you see anybody get out of the car? No. So, you just came out. What did you see? >> No, I was sitting in the car. >> Uhhuh. >> And the little boy, he climbed from the front to the back. From the back to the front >> and then I guess he maybe opened the door. He did something because the alarm started going off on the car and I guess that made him nervous. So then he got out and >> so the one in here got out. >> Mhm. The little boy got out and then I was like, "Oh man." and I stepped out and I was like, "Hey, come back." >> A witness nearby tells officer she saw the boy climb out of the car, wandering dangerously close to traffic before a stranger pulled him back to safety. >> I've been here for almost 30 minutes. I haven't seen anybody else. >> Okay. So, it's been it's been a while. >> It's been a long time. >> Okay. All right. >> And little girl, she didn't get out. When her brother got out, she >> just stayed in there. >> Okay. I did. Well, I appreciate you calling her hanging around. So, all right. You guys have a good one. Meanwhile, another officer went inside the store where he found the young boy with an employee. >> What's up, buddy? >> Able to find out anything on name or >> No, he doesn't speak. >> No, he um he jumped up and he seen this one lady, but okay. Oh, no kisses. >> He was wondering in the parking lot. One lady yelled, the other lady grabbed the kid. So, she went over there to get him out of the street and she was taking it to the lady. She like, "He's not my kid. I just seen him in the road." >> Yeah. >> So, I walked back out there. She said that there was a car parked next to her that had like a six-year-old in the car seat by herself. So, we went out there. The car was gone. >> Oh, the other officer got there with the car. >> Oh, the car out there >> cuz somebody else called also on >> before he took off and so we was already on the way for that one. So >> somebody from the back bathroom. >> You want to go back out there with your sister? >> You want to go with your sister? You want me to go with you? So you can go to that car. >> Yeah. Both the kids are in the car. Sorry. >> So we're going to attempt to find out how long. >> Um said she was looking at video. >> Okay. She is okay. >> Oh. Yeah. See here. is not your sister. >> Tell her >> she's in there. >> Oh, she's in there. >> Tell her where the police car is sitting with the lights on. >> He said where the police car sitting with the lights on. >> Right out the front entrance door of grocery or >> right should be one, two, or three. >> There's a white car down there. Hi. Can I open the door? Oh, can you open the door? Can you open the door? Oh, no. Other one. Try the other one. Do it again. Do it again. >> No. I think CSO's on his way. Look. Press that button. Yep. There you go. Got it. Got it. >> Yeah. Hey, sweetie. Hey, where's your mom? Here. You want to come out here with me? >> How are you? >> Are you okay? >> Yeah. >> How long How long you been out here by yourself, sweetie? [Music] >> She's inside. [Music] >> Do you know What's mommy's name? >> Do you know mommy's name? >> Yeah. What's her name? What's her name, sweetie? Here. You want to Here, let's go sit. Let's go sit in my car. >> What? No. >> You don't want to sit in my car? >> Yeah. >> I know. We're We're trying to find mommy. We don't know where she's at. We're going to We're trying to find her. >> Where's your Where's your little brother? Did he go inside? >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> We're under the other. >> You want to go inside, Mommy? Is this your Is this your child? >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Okay. >> Yeah. >> Where Where have you been? >> In the store. >> In the store. How long were you in there for? >> I'mma call you back. >> You might have seen her before some time. Yes, that is her. >> 57128. I'm out with the female. >> Are y'all going to take them or something? My husband got killed a year ago. I'm I'm doing the best I can. If y'all going to take them, take them. >> We're not We're not going to take your kids. Here's the thing. >> I'm at my um I'm at I'm at my wits. I I can't. So, >> we're we're not going to take your kids. I get your >> I've been trying to get mommy >> and now the police got my kids. I guess they had woke up up in the car. >> You got money? >> I'm at O at Walmart. I told them if we f to take them, take them. I'm tired. They daddy got killed last year. I'm doing the best I can. So, >> are you done? >> Yeah. >> Okay. >> Yeah. Can you >> not inside looking for? >> Yeah. I heard >> Yeah, I'm at Walmart. Oh, my grandma waiting on me. So, I don't know. >> He up in the Oh, so what's going to happen? >> Well, so what? I'm just showing up honestly. But, uh, do you have any other kids with you? >> I have a son. >> He's inside with some other walked in traffic. >> He walked in traffic. So, I guess they woke up. >> Okay. What's going on? So, some lady saw two kids, little like a three-year-old, got out, walked in traffic, walked inside, nobody's around, and she's saying that she was inside and her dad or husband got killed, and she's doing the best she can. >> Is that mom? >> That's mom. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> How long have the kids been in here? >> She said like 30 minutes. >> How long have you been inside for? >> Probably 10 minutes. >> Okay. Cuz we had we had a lady that saw she said somebody Is there somebody else inside with you? No. >> Okay. So, you're by yourself. So, we had some other lady say that she saw nobody in the car for like 30 minutes. >> 30 minutes. Okay. >> Okay. So, >> where's your other child at? >> I I guess he up in there. >> Well, we need to go get him. >> Yeah. Well, Brad's with them. Brad's with that. >> So, here's the deal. Who >> Who else takes care of your kids? Just you? >> Okay. I was I was married. All All of it me and him. >> He was murdered. Okay. >> It's just me. >> Just Just you? >> It's just me. Nobody else. I called my mom. Nobody will help me. So that's why I said if y'all going to take them, I got to go. My grandma is sick. She's actually in the middle of um what's it called? When you got camping, you doing all this and that. I got to go pick Yeah, I got to pick her up. >> Hold on. I'm tired. I'm exhausted. I don't >> I know. Well, the faster we we faster we do this, the faster you're going to get go. Okay. >> Yeah. >> My name is I'm tired. I'm exhausted. Take me to a hospital. That's what my name is. I'm tired. >> I'm sorry. I know it's not your fault. It's my fault. >> No, I don't. Just take me to jail. I don't want to do this. >> Who said we're going to take you to jail? >> I'm tired. I don't want to do this. I'm trying my best. >> We get that. >> Where are you free? >> I'm trying to call my mom the address. I don't know everything for sure. I just got here. >> Just take them. I don't care. I'm >> I've been trying to I'm trying to do the best that I can. Like I'm >> Can you take a seat for me? I want to talk. >> Why we got to talk in public and trying to listen? Listen, Dex, you just left the kids in the car and they got there. Okay. If it wasn't for these kind citizens who witnessed this whole thing and then helped corral your kids and then get us involved, >> who knows where your son would be? Cuz you don't know where your son is right now. >> I do know where he is. >> You have no idea. >> Right there. >> Listen. Sit. Sit. Sit down. >> I really want my mom to answer. She's not answering the phone. >> Can you get a hold of mom? >> I'm trying. >> Keep trying. >> Since he's got a an attachment to you, >> we'll walk out there together. walk out to the car with him or go to at least just sit and I'll pee. And >> where's Nana? >> Where's Nana? >> Nana. [Applause] >> She said no. >> What's mama's name? >> Hey, so you know how I was just begging you to help me with the kids? We at Walmart in the parking lot with the police. So I'm like I was telling him I'm tired. >> Tell her to come here. >> I'm tired and now they want you to come up here. But I'm tired. I'm I left the kids up in the car to try to run up in Walmart to get a toilet plunger and Yeah, that's why I was begging you for help. Like I'm I'm When I say I need help, I need help. >> And I had think Okay. So, you don't give a basically. >> All right. >> No, no, no. Let me let me talk to your mom. >> Hi, >> Destiny. Can you call your mom back? >> Door unlocked or have him sit down there now? Go ahead and put him in the car. That way he kill your arms. >> Come on, baby. >> Come here. Come daddy. >> I missed you. >> Was you looking for me? >> She She's saying she got nobody else to help her. She came up to customer service while Nathan was standing there with the child and finished her transaction up there and then left knowing we were right there with her child. >> Who else do you have to come take the case? >> Well, Bobby, it's just me that daddy got killed. It was just me and him. Nobody. >> Who's this number? >> I don't know. Why is that number? >> I don't know. I don't say ask. >> Hello. >> Can you stop calling my phone, please? Is it? >> No, I don't know him. Don't tell him. I don't >> Stop. Give me a second. I'm trying to find somebody to >> Okay, hang up. >> Give me >> You're about that close right now to go in jail. Give me my phone. >> You're about that close to going. Then we'll call DCFS and turn them over to them. Is that what you want? >> I don't know who that person is. >> That's the other option. >> Okay. But I don't know who that person is. So don't give no random guy calling my phone my business. I don't know who that is. >> All right. Calling your phone. So yeah. Okay. So try to get a hold of somebody and come up here. >> Okay? >> Otherwise, you're going to jail. Okay? And you still might. Depends if you want somebody to come pick up the kids or you want your best. >> Let me check that real quick. >> I know y'all white and I'm black, but listen, I'm a person. >> You left your kids alone. >> I I have feelings. >> And one is running around out here in traffic. >> Can you please try to reach my mom? Do you have anyone else you want me to call other than your mom? >> That's the only person. Their dad was dead. I don't have no >> uncle. >> That's rubber. Why are you in my That don't have nothing to do with nothing. >> I'm making sure it wasn't what it looked like. Okay. >> A bag of rubber. What it look like? >> Hell yeah. Call my mama. >> I am calling. >> Yeah. Call my uh call my grandma. Let me see. >> What's grandma? >> Cuz y'all making me uncomfortable. Call somebody else over here besides y'all. Call a Walmart worker. Call a random person. Call somebody else over here because I feel uncomfortable. That's all I want. >> Who's Denisha? >> My friend. Call her. >> Trying to take the phone. I gave you an opportunity and you obviously couldn't call anybody. >> Okay. Here's the thing. We're trying to work with you. Have I been nothing but nice to you this entire time? You have. >> Okay. I'm trying to work with you. I'm trying to sympathize with you. >> Hey, this is also a trial with you found police department. I'm on desk phone. >> What's your relationship today? It's your cousin. Okay. So, basically, here's what we've got. We had a situation in which uh she's being investigated for endangering the health and life of a child here. So, basically, she's going to be taken into custody, but we have her two kids and we're trying to get her two kids into good hands. And we're trying to figure out, she's kind of being uncooperative. We're trying to figure out a family member that we could get the kids with so we don't have to give them to DCFS. >> What's that? Have you watched your kids before? >> That's all I got. >> Where where are you coming from? >> All right. Can you come to the Can you come to Old Fallon, Illinois Walmart and leave right now? >> Like I can't like they daddy already gone. The this all I got left. So if y'all going to take them, I will go. >> That's that's not what we trying to do. >> Like I will blow my [ __ ] off in front of everybody. That's all I got left. That's it. >> Here's the thing. >> That's all I got. >> We're not >> That's all I got left. >> I understand that. Okay. I'm >> Stop. >> No, I'm not. Don't do that. >> Stop. >> Shut up. Stop. >> Stop. >> Stop. Let me go. What the are you doing? >> You're under arrest. You're under arrest. >> Let me go. >> You're under arrest. >> Call my under arrest. >> I'll call my mom. You're under arrest. >> My baby. I help my baby. God, please. >> You're under arrest. Quit resisting. >> God, please. >> Stop resisting. >> Okay, let me get up. Let me get in the car and stop. >> Stop. Stop. >> Stop. >> My kids. My kids. My kids. >> I didn't do [ __ ] Move. >> Stop. >> Let me go. I didn't do anything. My kids is in here. The shit's recording me. Y'all is doing the most for nothing. >> New car. >> Hey, come here, buddy. >> It's okay, dude. >> It's okay. Hey, it's okay. You're all right, bud. Okay. You're okay. >> What's your name? >> Hurry up. Let me in the damn car. Y'all embarrassing. >> Damn. >> You are. >> What's your name? Cuz you racist. >> You're the one. Oh, you racist. Why are you doing me? What's your name? >> Thomas. Put your foot in the car. >> Okay. >> Put your foot in the car. >> Hold on. Wait. >> You've gone beyond that. You've gone beyond that. >> I don't have a criminal record. Listen. >> Listen. >> Put your foot in the car. >> Listen. >> Put your foot in the car. >> Can you call the um >> Call my mama. I'm going >> Put your foot in the car. >> Call my mama. Please. >> I'm not a criminal and y'all treat me. >> You're under arrest. >> Yes, you are. >> Can y'all let me out? Yep. He got killed in front of us and you doing me like this. >> Come on. Put your foot in the car. >> Call my mama. >> Put your foot in the car. >> Call my mama. >> Put your foot. >> Can you help me? >> I will help you. You put your foot in the car. >> Put your foot in the car. Turning me like >> my mama. >> Wait. It's okay, bud. It's all right. >> It's okay. >> Come here. >> What is your passcode? Come here. >> What is your passcode? >> Listen, this is serious. If I'm under arrest cuz listen, >> what is your passcode? I'm trying to help you. >> Y'all don't know this. My kids don't have nobody else. My kids don't have Please, I will act right. Look, I'm just under stress. I don't have nobody else. >> What is your What is your passcode? >> I want to try. >> Oh my god. My not answer. She didn't answer. Hold on. Take me out this for real cuz I can't. I'm a criminal. I'm going to go to a public academy. I cannot stop. >> I cannot I cannot until you give me your code. >> Let me out of this. I don't know it. It's my face. >> Here. Look at this. What is it? >> Y'all let me out. Give me my babies. Give me my kids, please. >> They won't let me call. >> Can you let me out? That man is racist. >> If you listen, I'm trying to >> All I did was that damn. And he instantly came to grab me. So, she is sitting here saying, "I'm going to blow myself up if you take my kids. I'm I'm going to cut myself." And then starts walking to the back of her car like she's going to go grab something in the trunk. So, that's why I started putting her in cuffs. >> Can you let me >> Will you Can you Can you work with me for one second? Work with me. >> I can't My kids don't have nobody else. Listen, my mama ain't going to do right. She going to act. >> Let me hold it. I'm telling you, it's all in the touch. I don't know the passcode, sir. It's only taking a passcode. >> It's six digits. Thank you. >> Call my Hey, what they going to do with my kids? >> Hello, >> mama. >> Hey, this is this is officer with your town police department. >> Uhhuh. >> Hey, we're out here with your daughter, Dad. >> Are you Are you heading Are you heading here right now? >> Yeah. >> Okay. How far out are you? >> All right. Thank you. >> You're going to catch another charge if you break that window. Don't open that door. >> It don't matter. >> I'll get her out of here. >> You going to get another charge. I know, but calm down. You making it bad on yourself. >> All right. >> And I'll be >> Sounds good. Maybe bring your cell phone. >> What's going on with my baby? >> All right. >> Okay. You wrong. You wrong for that. You would say your mom is coming to get your kids. You don't You don't do a woman like that about >> I don't know what you're talking about. >> That's all you had to do. >> Y that's racist. >> I know obviously out there everything's chaotic. You're stressing and everything like that. I just want to let you know your kids are being released to your mother. Okay. And at this time, Officer Bard's handling this. I'm not sure as far as your charges. >> Old man. >> No, that's the the younger guy. And I at this point I don't know what your charges are. They I believe probably at this point you're going to have uh resisting arrest and endanger hang on hang on hang on hang on. You're going to have endangering the life health and life of a child and resisting arrest. Both of those are misdemeanor. Listen both of those are misdemeanor. Okay? Which means you won't which means you shouldn't have to be held. >> I never resisted. Nobody said you're under arrest. Nobody told me that. He told me calm down and I said no. They're not the only single parent. They, you know, I don't care if it's 2 minutes, you take your children with you. >> Officer went inside the store to review surveillance footage, confirming the mother had left her children alone in the car for over 30 minutes while she went inside. >> What's up? >> She pulled up at 4:31. She walked in the store at 4:35. >> Yeah. I can't believe she was that close to a kid without even knowing. You know, everyone's nosy if there's a cop right there. Like, you're going to look and be like, "Oh, [ __ ] >> Grandma's on the way." Okay. >> Hello. >> Hey, how are you? >> All right. Cousin. Okay. Is her mama on the way or >> she I'm trying to see where her phone is. >> Whose phone? >> She gone already? >> Yes, she's gone. The phone's right there. Grandma said she was about 10 minutes out. >> Okay. >> So, she shows up here shortly. >> Okay. and raise the children to her and >> Oh, okay. >> You okay? >> Come here. You okay? >> All right. Just remember, cooperate with us. Get your get your your handcuffs off. Get your hair back on. And then this will this will honestly go really easy. Okay. And I don't think you'll honestly be here that long. >> All right. You got your hair. Y'all >> some Hang on. Hang on. Hang on. You got your hair? >> They really jumped on me. Three of them jumped on me because I didn't want to sit there, >> y'all. >> The grandmother came to the scene after some time. The children were safely released to their grandmother while the mother was cited for child endangerment and resisting an officer. Another report was also filed with child protective services. Should this be treated as a mistake from an exhausted parent or as outright neglect deserving harsher punishment?