Virginia deputies rescue 4 children from hot car after mothers arrested for shoplifting
MECHANICSVILLE, Va. July 22 2017-– Two women are behind bars accused of leaving four young children, including a newborn, inside a car as they allegedly shoplifted from a Mechanicsville Walmart.
During the arrest, deputies say the women never mentioned they had children outside in the car.
The incident happened around 4:30 Thursday morning at the Walmart Supercenter store on Bell Creek Road, off of Mechanicsville Turnpike.
Three Hanover Sheriff’s deputies are being credited for rescuing the children, a 1-month-old, 2-year-old, and two 3-year-olds.
Deputies believe the children were in the car for more than one hour. At the time of the incident, the temperature in Mechanicsville was 73 degrees.
Deputies say Kiear Ellis, 24, has been charged with one felony count of grand larceny and three misdemeanor counts of child endangerment. The other woman, whose name has not been released, has been charged with one count of petty larceny and one count of child endangerment.
Witness Crystal Jackson said once she noticed to situation, she asked to help because it was so hot and muggy outside.
Jackson commended Hanover Deputies Norman, Crumpler and Sgt. Spain, who bought the children food, water, and gave the infant a bottle.
She said she also bought some formula and diapers to help the children.
“Y’all knew I wasn’t gonna leave these kids,” she wrote on Facebook.
Jackson said she deputies also allowed her to contact the children’s family so Child Protective Services wouldn’t take them away.
