Mom Charged For Neglect After Leaving Toddler in Car While Shopping

A 28-year-old Sarasota mother is facing a child neglect charge after her 22-month old girl was found locked in her car while she was shopping.

The Sarasota County Sheriff's Office responded at 1:30 p.m. to Big Lots, 3750 Bee Ridge Road, after passersby called deputies to report a toddler sitting along in a Chevrolet Malibu in the parking lot, according to the probable cause affidavit.

About three minutes after the witnesses called 911, the mother, Sunnie Joe Andrepont, of 6030 Medici Court, came to the car with a cart load of toys, according to the affidavit.

Big Lots security told deputies that the mother was shopping for about 30 minutes.

Andrepont told deputies she intentionally left the girl in the car while it was running, according to the affidavit, but the child was unharmed. The girl's father responded to the scene to take her home, according to the sheriff's office.