2 children found 'sweating profusely' in hot car at Walmart

PAULDING COUNTY, Ga. — An Atlanta-area mom faces some serious charges after police say she left her two children inside a hot car.

Police tell Channel 2's Audrey Washington some shoppers first spotted the kids inside the car, sweating profusely. They then alerted authorities.

"I do believe charges should be pressed,” mother Letisha Miller said

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"It was a mistake. She shouldn't have done it, though,” mother Malinda Carter said.

There were strong words from these mothers after hearing what Ashley Lee, 34, is accused of doing.

Sgt. Jesse Dunbar says he was the first officer to respond to a Walmart in Hiram on Saturday.

He says when he got to Lee's car he found two girls, one 7 years old, the other just 4 years old, locked inside the car, windows rolled up.

"Spoke to what appeared to be the oldest child; got her to open the door for me,” Dunbar said. “Once I opened the door, I could just feel heat coming out from inside the vehicle."

Dunbar tells Washington though it was in the 80s that day, inside the car it was much hotter.

"My estimation was about 100 degrees inside the car,” Dunbar said.

The kids were taken away.

Lee was then questioned at the Walmart. %

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Police say store video showed she was inside shopping for about half an hour.

She was placed in handcuffs and charged.

"Reckless conduct and reckless endangerment," Dunbar said.

Miller says there's no excuse for ever leaving children inside a car for any amount of time.

"Definitely she needs to learn her lesson,” Miller said.

As for the children, right now Washington is told they are doing OK.

Police tell Washington the mother could face additional charges.

Cox Media Group