Shopper Calls 911 After Finding Children Alone In Car

A 26-year-old Gastonia woman was released on a $3,000 bond after police said she left her two young children inside a hot car while she shopped.

Gastonia police charged Alison Matthews with one count of misdemeanor child abuse.

Police said the incident happened at the Target store on South New Hope Road Saturday afternoon.

Police said Matthews told them that her kids, ages 2 and 4, were asleep and she did not want to wake them.

Temperatures reached upward of 90 degrees Saturday.

Jennifer Shannon, who was shopping at Target Saturday, said she heard a child screaming in the parking lot as she left the store. She then discovered the two kids alone in the locked car, she said.

Shannon said she called 911.

"She [one of the children] was standing in the seat, screaming and beating on the glass," she said.

Shannon said she was frightened for the other child in the car.

"She was strapped in a car seat, slumped over," Shannon said. "Immediately, my heart stopped because I thought she was dead."

She said the 911 dispatcher instructed her to get one of the children to unlock the door.

"The child heard me say the doors are locked and she immediately pulled up the lock and just jumped into my arms," she said.

Sgt. Mike Lari with the Gastonia Police Department said the children were visibly hot.

"They were very hot and sweaty," he said. "They were both drenched with sweat."

Police said Matthews was inside the store for about 30 minutes. They said she left the windows cracked, but only a few inches.

Paramedics checked the children at the scene and said they were OK. They were released to their father.

"I hope it will be a lesson to other people," Shannon said.