FORT MOHAVE – A Mohave Valley woman was arrested Sept. 2 for leaving her two young children unattended in a vehicle while she shopped at the Safeway store in Fort Mohave. Mohave County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO) Deputies responded at 5:06 p.m. to a request for a welfare check at the business in the 4800 block of Highway 95.

While traveling to investigate the report of kids left alone in a vehicle, Deputies reportedly called the business requesting that announcements be made for the responsible party to return to the vehicle.

“Deputies arrived on scene and observed the involved vehicle was running, with two children in the back seat, the older of which was laying down in the back seat unrestrained, while the infant was restrained in an infant carrier,” said MCSO spokeswoman Anita Mortensen. “The vehicle was unlocked, and Deputies entered the vehicle and confirmed both children were responsive.”

Mortensen said the back seat where the children were positioned was warm and that the outside temperature was 105 degrees. She said Annette Lynn Garcia, 33, exited the store and identified herself as the mother of the children, 2-years and 6-months old.

Garcia was detained while medical personnel evaluated the children who were transported to the hospital for further assessment, according to Mortensen. She said they were found to be uninjured and were released to a family member.

“When questioned, Garcia advised the children were asleep in the car and she had gone inside the business to get her groceries and was only inside for a few minutes,” Mortensen said. “From the time the call came into the Communication Center to the time the children were contacted inside the vehicle was approximately 15 minutes.”

Garcia was arrested and initially charged with 2 counts each of child abuse by domestic violence and endangerment.

Dave Hawkins