A 22-year-old Georgia man allegedly shoplifted from a mall while his 10-month-old twins were left in the car, the Columbus Ledger-Enquirer reported.

Authorities responded Monday to Peachtree Mall in Columbus after they received a report that the children were in car seats in the rear of the vehicle, according to the report. The car keys were in the ignition, police said.

The father, Kendarius Howard, was taken into custody at the mall, the report said. He has pleaded not guilty to various charges.

The children were unharmed, the report said.

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Public Service Commission candidate Peter Hubbard gets a hug from Brionté McCorkle, executive director of Georgia Conservation Voters, during an election-night party in Southwest Atlanta on Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2025.  (Ben Gray for the AJC)

Credit: Ben Gray for the AJC