Police: Mom Left Kids in Car, Engine Running, While Shopping at Michael's

Chesterfield police cited a 29-year-old woman for leaving her two young children in a car one recent morning while she was shopping inside Michael's craft shop in the Chesterfield Valley.

Police spokesman Officer Mike Ryffel said the woman left the children, approximately age 2 and 5, in the car with the engine running and the air conditioning on. The incident happened mid-morning on Aug. 28.

"It's the same old story," Ryffel said. "It was hot, but she left the car running with the AC.  A passerby saw it and notified us. We were able to locate mom right away.  The interior of the car was cool and the kids were OK."

Police issued a summons on child abuse charges to the woman in lieu of arrest and contacted the Missouri Department of Social Services.