Kids rescued from hot car, mom Loleatha Stallworth arrested

HIRAM, Ga. -- Police say they arrested a Powder Springs woman who left her three children locked inside a hot car over the weekend.

According to police, Loleatha Monique Stallworth, 39, was inside a Five Below store in Hiram shopping while her young children sat in her 2004 Silver Toyota Camry with the windows rolled up. A witness alerted police and when the officer arrived, he said the car was not running and the children were "sweating heavily and appeared to be scared," according to the report.

When police checked the temperature of the car, it was reportedly at 101.3 degrees while it was only 88 degrees outside.

The children, a two-year-old and two four-year-old twins were also not in car seats. The responding officer said he convinced one of the children to unlock the door. EMS arrived to cool them down and check their vital signs.

The officer said "approximately 10 minutes passed before the mother came running out of Five Below with merchandise she had been inside purchasing asking what was going on."

Stallworth told police she went inside the store for a few minutes to purchase birthday gifts.

She was questioned, arrested and charged with three counts of Cruelty to Children-Criminal Negligence and three counts of Child or Youth Restraint Not Used Properly.

The children were released to their father.