Police: Conn. woman leaves kids in car to shoplift

SOUTH WINDSOR, Conn. (WTNH) -- Police say a Manchester woman accused of shoplifting left her two young children locked in a car while she went into the store.

It happened around noon at the Gap Kids in the Evergeen Walk in South Windsor. Police say store security caught 26-year-old Sharmerra Canty shoplifting.

"She was actually stealing sunglasses, hooded sweatshirts, jeans. She made some mention into needing items for a niece's birthday party," said Sgt. Scott Custer, South Windsor Police.

Police say when they went to arrest Canty and take her to the station to be booked, she told them she had two young kids out in the parking lot unattended in the car.

"Our officers determined that the children were both aged 1 and 3 and were left in a car that was locked but not running. There was no heat and it was very cold outside yesterday," said Sgt. Custer.

The officers were able to get the 3-year-old to unlock the door so they could be put into a warm cruiser to wait for another family member to pick them up.

"I'm not surprised when I hear these things. It's just more common than not which is really it's sad," said Ileana Sybert of Manchester.

Many of the people News 8 talked to who were out shopping say this sort of thing is becoming all too common.

"It happens all the time. You hear about it in the news all the time so I'm not surprised," said Brian Gray of Manchester.

Police say Canty has been arrested before and DCF has been called in to investigate. Meanwhile, the children will be staying with their grandparents until the courts sort this out.

"It shouldn't happen. It's sad. Incredibly sad," said one man said.

"I just wonder where their mind is and where their perspective is on things. It doesn't make any sense," said Sybert.

"A 1 and 3-year-old," said News 8's Bob Wilson.

"Insane and in the cold weather, in a car. I mean, where are your priorities," said Sybert.

Twenty-six-year-old Sharmerra Canty is charged with risk of injury to a minor and larceny. She was released on $5,000 bond.