2 moms left 4 young kids alone in parking lot while they drank at bar, police say

GLENDALE, Ariz. (KPHO/Gray News) – Two mothers in Arizona are facing multiple charges after police said they went drinking at a bar and left their young kids alone in the parking lot earlier this year.

Glendale police said the incident happened on March 8 in the Westgate Entertainment District. The department just released the bodycam footage on Thursday.

Several witnesses called police after they saw a small child running through the parking lot with no adult in sight around 11 p.m., police said.

The young child led officers to a vehicle where there were three more children, all alone.

Police said the older children were just 3 or 4 years old, and the younger two were in car seats.

In a bodycam video, one of the children is heard crying and an officer gives them a bottle.

Officers said they also found a large bag of marijuana in the glove box.

Police started searching nearby businesses to try and find the parents. About 30 minutes later, the children’s mothers showed up at the car.

When asked where they were, one of the moms claimed she was using a restroom.

The woman claimed she was gone for 10 minutes but police said the two were gone for at least 45 minutes.

The second mother claimed they were gone for 15 minutes.

“That’s a lie,” an officer replied. “We’ve been standing with these kids for over 45 minutes by themselves.”

Both later itted to getting at least one drink at the bar.

Both moms were then put in handcuffs and arrested. Their names have not been released.

Glendale firefighters took the children to the hospital to be checked out.

“We’re thankful to the good Samaritans who stepped in and did the right thing. It’s a strong reminder: leaving kids alone – especially while under the influence – is not only irresponsible, it’s illegal," police said in a statement.

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