Police: Connecticut woman leaves kids in car to shoplift

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

Authorities say officers who responded to the call from store security at a Gap Kids in South Windsor found that the woman had locked the children in the car without leaving the engine running to keep it warm on Wednesday when temperatures were near freezing.

Twenty-six-year-old Sharmerra Canty is charged with risk of injury to a minor and larceny. She was released on $5,000 bond. A phone number for Canty could not be found.

South Windsor police said arrangements were made for a relative to take custody of the children, who are 1 and 3 years old.