Police: Couple goes drinking, leaves children in family car

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Police arrested David and Cheri Smith after the couple allegedly went barhopping and left their children alone in the parking lot.

The family went into NoDa Brewery Company and the couple paid their bill and left.

"They had a couple of drinks, not drunk, not over-served," said Suzie Ford with NoDa Brewing Company.

Two hours later, the couple's toddler returned alone.

"The littlest son came back in, wet, no shoes, looking for his parents," Ford said.

The staff remembered the child from earlier and started looking for the parents inside but didn't find them.

The child guided the bartender to the family car parked across the street in front of a bar, where police said the parents were found drinking.

Police charged the father and mother with abuse and neglect. They are each out on a $1,500 bond.

To see more local news stories, click here.

Sign up for breaking news alerts, click here.

WSOC