34°
It happened on Tuesday, Dec.10 at 7:15 pm at the Walmart on Hempstead Turnpike in Levittown.
According to detectives, a 911 call was received for two children left unattended in a parked vehicle. The vehicle was in the fire lane of the Walmart parking lot.
A patrol officer arrived at the scene and observed a 3-year-old child strapped into a car seat and a 9-year-old child sitting in the back seat of the vehicle with the keys in the ignition and the engine running, Nassau County Police said.
Responding officers gained access to the children through an unlocked door. No injuries were reported. Both children were released to a family member.
Approximately an hour after officers arrived, Erika Martinez, of Bethpage, returned to her vehicle after shopping and was placed under arrest by awaiting officers.
Martinez is charged with two counts of endangering the welfare of a child. She will be arraigned in First District Court in Hempstead on Wednesday, Dec. 11.
Click here to follow Daily Voice Brentwood and receive free news updates.
