INDIANAPOLIS — Two women were arrested for alleged shoplifting at an Indianapolis Target, after leaving a one year old boy alone in a car for almost 40 minutes.
According to court documents, on Sept. 18, 2024, an IMPD officer was called to the Target in the 6100 block of North Keystone Avenue on a report of shoplifting.
Two women were allegedly in the store, putting merchandise into their purses just after 9 p.m. Police say security video showed they were still loitering inside at 9:40 p.m., when police began to arrive on the scene.
Police asked how they got to the store, and one woman said they took an Uber. But police checked security video and saw they arrived in a blue vehicle. It was found illegally parked in a handicap spot in front of the store.
When an officer approached the car, they found a 1-year-old boy who "appeared to be distraught and crying" inside. Police were able to get into the child with a key they took from one of the women.
Neither of the women was child's mother.
Police contacted the mother, who said one of the women was supposed to pick the child up from a friend's house and drop him off. The woman was the mother of the child's cousin.
Thankfully, the boy was not physically hurt and was turned over to his mother.
The woman is charged with neglect of a dependent, theft, and marijuana possession. The other woman has not been charged.
Child abuse and neglect resources
If you think a child is being abused or neglected, call the DCS Child Abuse and Neglect Hotline at 1-800-800-5556.
If you can, provide DCS with the following information:
- Who was involved
- What occurred
- When and where it occurred
- The extent of any injuries sustained
- Any other relevant information
Even if you don't know all that information, DCS urges you to call and report if you suspect a child is a victim of abuse or neglect. State law requires DCS to protect the identity of those reporting abuse or neglect allegations, so you can remain anonymous.
There is more information available at the Indiana Department of Child Services website.
If you would like to help victims of child abuse and neglect, Kids' Voice of Indiana has a Court-Appointed Special Advocate program. This lets volunteers advocate for child victims who don't have another trusted adult to stand up for them. You can learn more about the CASA program here. Kids' Voice estimates more than 3,100 kids in Marion County need help from a CASA volunteer.
