Two Arizona mothers allegedly tried to convince police they left their children in a parking lot while they went to use a restroom, but police say they had been drinking at a bar.
Law&Crime reports that officers with the Glendale Police Department responded around 11 p.m. on March 8 after receiving a report of a small child running unsupervised. Witnesses stated they searched for the child’s parents but found no adults nearby.
The child eventually guided witnesses to a vehicle where three additional small children were seated, with two in car seats.
Officers said they checked nearby businesses for the children’s parents. About 45 minutes after arriving at the scene, the two mothers returned to the vehicle.
Police told the woman that her young daughter was spotted running in the parking lot and that the car with the other children was unlocked, AZ Family reports.
The second woman explained to police that she had been in the bathroom and then went to Caramel Cookie, referencing the Crumbl Cookies store.
The woman insisted she was gone for only 10 minutes, while police reported the two mothers were absent for at least 45 minutes. The second mother claimed they were only gone for 15 minutes.
”That’s a lie,” an officer replied. “We’ve been with these kids by themselves for over 45 minutes.”
Both women then allegedly acknowledged having at least one drink at the bar.
“Please don’t take my kids away from me. Like seriously, they’re the only things I’ve got. I know this is super, super bad,”one of the mothers said.
Police observed that both women, whose names were not released, “smelled like alcohol” and displayed “slurred speech.”
Both women were arrested and the fire department transported the children to a nearby hospital.
“We’re thankful to the good Samaritans who stepped in and did the right thing. It’s a strong reminder: leaving kids alone—especially while under the influence—is not only irresponsible, it’s illegal,” police said in a statement.
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[Feature Photo via Glendale PD]
