Charles County Sheriff officers responded to the 11200 block of Mall Circle on Tuesday Jan. 28 at 8:05 p.m., after a citizen called to report the sounds of children crying coming from inside a Cadillac Escalade which was parked outside a department store. The windows of the car were heavily tinted and the witness was not able to see much more.
Officers arrived and found two girls, a six-year-old and a three-year-old, inside the car. Both girls were wearing heavy coats but told officers they were cold. Officers placed the girls in their police cars and noted the temperature was about 16 degrees. Officers obtained the name of the girls’ mother and went inside the mall to search for her. They contacted mall security who made an announcement. The mother came out of a department store and approached officers.
She claimed she lost her wallet and was inside the mall looking for it. She said she had only been inside for 10 minutes. Officers noted inconsistencies in her story and checked into the matter further. They subsequently learned the woman had been inside the department store for more than 90 minutes, sitting at a makeup counter having her makeup done.
They also located her missing wallet inside her purse. Regina Marie Coleman, 28, was arrested and charged with child neglect.
The children were turned over to relatives. Officer J. Squriewell and Sgt. H. Smith investigated.
