YORK, S.C. — A York County mother is in jail after she was charged with trying to rob a convenience store while carrying her baby girl in her arms.
The incident happened late Tuesday night at the store inside the Shell gas station on Liberty Street in York, S.C.
Police said Ashley Burns was in the store for just a few minutes, carrying her 23-month-old daughter.
Eyewitness News was able to view the surveillance video from Tuesday.
The video shows her moments after walking in the door sticking her hand in her purse and waving it around, all while carrying her little girl.
The video shows Burns walking back and forth along the counter. The store clerk said Burns said she had a gun and demanded money from the register.
"That's what shook me up so bad is that she had her small child with her. She's trying to rob me with a gun while holding her child. It bothered me a lot," said Stephanie Plyler.
Plyler didn't give up any cash, but said she begged the woman not to hurt anyone.
"I was just very nervous, because, I mean, when somebody says they have a gun, that just unnerves me," she said.
Plyler has a daughter about the same age, and she's outraged Burns would use her baby while threatening to use a gun.
Police quickly caught up to Burns when she left the store. They didn't find a gun in her purse.
Officers said they found baggies of crack cocaine and a crack pipe in her car.
As a mother herself, Plyler said she's sympathetic.
"I really feel for her, I hope she gets some help," she said.
Burns is charged with attempted armed robbery, possession of crack cocaine and unlawful conduct towards a child.
Police turned over the girl to her father. The child was not hurt during the incident.