Newport News, Va. - A 26-year-old woman has been arrested and charged after allegedly leaving her 6-year-old daughter inside a vehicle in a business parking lot while temperatures were below freezing.
According to Newport News Police, officers were called to the parking lot of the Virginia Living Museum on Friday after someone reported seeing the child alone in the car.
The female child was located in the unlocked vehicle, which was parked and not running. Police say the girl had an unzipped coat on and no gloves.
Her mother, Darshelle Peterson, was located working inside the museum. She told police that she had no one to watch her child, and she had to work.
Police say Peterson doesn't work for the museum, but was working for a separate company that had rented a room at the facility.
Peterson was taken into custody and charged with Child Cruelty, Felony Child Neglect, and Contributing to the Delinquency of a Minor.
The child was unharmed and released to the custody of a grandparent. Hampton Child Protective Services was notified and also responded to the scene.
Peterson is being held with no bond.
