A woman has been charged with child abuse/neglect after leaving a small child alone in the car so she could shop for groceries.

According to Livingston Police, Rhesa Phillips, 54, of Allons, was charged two weeks ago Thursday, September 26, when she left her grandchild alone in the car while shopping at Save-A-Lot. Police received a call that a small child, approximately three years old, was sleeping in a car in the Save-A-Lot parking lot, according to a report by Officer Chris Billings. Billings noted upon arrival he saw a small child sleeping in a car seat and the windows were beginning to fog over.

Billings spoke with Phillips when she exited the store, and she stated, “We live in a safe place, and it is not a city.” She also stated she had left him alone earlier in the day while shopping at the Family Dollar Store off the bypass.

The child’s mother was contacted to pick up the child, and the report stated she was “visibly disturbed” when learning her child had been left alone in the vehicle.

Phillips was taken into custody and charged.

“We take our children very seriously,” said Livingston Police Chief Greg Etheredge. “It is never appropriate to leave a small child alone in a vehicle, even for a few minutes. Those who choose to do so will be charged accordingly.”