Police: Woman used 11-year-old granddaughter to steal from Walmart

JONESBORO, Ga. — A grandmother is in jail in Clayton County accused of using her granddaughter to help her shoplift.

Channel 2's Tom Jones was in court when a judge told Sheila Howard that she was ordered to stay away from Walmart on Jonesboro Road because of her two prior shoplifting arrests there.

Now, police said she has returned again, this time with her 11-year-old grandchild, to shoplift.

Police said Howard used her granddaughter to help her steal $139 worth of merchandise. Morrow police said she concealed the stolen goods in a baby bag, which was all caught on tape.

"That's absolutely horrific. You don't do that," shopper Vickie Harris told Jones.

The allegations floored Harris and her daughter who were shopping at the Walmart on Wednesday. Harris said no adult should have their loved ones participating in crime.

"It sets a bad example. You can't really get mad if they do it," she said.

Howard told the judge in court she is unemployed.

The judge explained she faces shoplifting, contributing to the delinquency of a minor and criminal trespassing charges.

The judge said the last charge is because Howard should have never entered the store because she was barred after two prior shoplifting arrests.

"I would tell her that that's not right to do at all," said Shannon Harris, who turned 16 Wednesday.

She said she's old enough to know a grandmother should never coerce their grandchildren into committing crimes.

"It doesn't even sound good coming from your grandmother in the first place. They're supposed to set the example on how you should live your life," Shannon Harris said.

The judge gave Howard a $9,000 bond and once again ordered her to stay away from the Walmart. The judge also ordered her to stay away from her grandchild.

WSBTV