MARIETTA, Ga. -- Marietta police said they arrested a mother who allegedly left her young children in her unlocked car so she could shoplift inside a Wal-Mart.

Police said Lashaundra Chantee Cooper, 23, was initially detained by Wal-Mart security when she was attempting to leave the Marietta store without paying for $24.75 worth of clothing items for herself.

Marietta police Officer M.C. Humfleet responded to the scene and was explaining arrest procedures to Cooper when she told the officer her children were in her vehicle.

---

CAROL SBARGE: Mom Accused Of Leaving Kids In Car To Shoplift

---

Officers said they found her 1-year-old and 3-year-old childen in an unlocked car in the Wal-Mart parking lot. Officers said the keys were in the ignition.

Police said one child was found only wearing a shirt with nothing on his bottom half. Officials said there was only one car seat in the vehicle, but neither child was in it.

Cooper was charged with child cruelty and shoplifting.

Nancy Bodiford with the Cobb County Sheriff's Office said Cooper remained in the Cobb County Jail Monday with no bond.