A mother has been arrested after leaving her three, young children in her vehicle while she went into a bar.
Authorities said the incident happened around 10:34 p.m. Friday at Jimmy’s Bar and Grill in the 1300 block of Sparta Pike.
According to reports, a call was made to officers about three children left unattended in a vehicle in the parking lot of the business.
Authorities said they found a six-year-old, five-year-old, and ten-month-old alone in the vehicle.
The mother, identified as 31-year-old Maria A. Cavalier, was found just outside the bar talking on her cell phone.
Authorities interviewed her and said she was showing signs of being impaired.
Cavalier admitted to drinking alcohol while in the bar. She also admitted to leaving the children in the vehicle unattended while she was inside.
Officials said they arrested Cavalier and charged her with child neglect and abuse, along with public intoxication.
After the children were medically evaluated, authorities said they appeared to be in good health. They were released to their father by the Department of Children’s Services.
