Grandmother faces charges after leaving kids in hot car, cops say

Phyllis Townsend

Credit: Channel 2 News Action

Credit: Channel 2 News Action

Phyllis Townsend

A woman faces reckless conduct charges after she left her two grandchildren in a car in 90-degree weather in a Costco parking lot at Cumberland Mall, according to a Cobb County arrest warrant.

Phyllis Townsend allegedly left the children — a 4-year-old boy and a 9-year-old girl — in the car for an hour Wednesday afternoon, the warrant alleges. Inside the car was a half-filled cup of water.

The car was parked in direct sunlight when Cumberland Mall security received a tip from a concerned citizen about the children’s welfare, according to the warrant.

Townsend told police she was in the store for 20 minutes. Police said during a phone conversation with the children’s mother, Townsend said she was in there for 30 minutes.

Townsend, 71, of Atlanta, was taken to the Cobb County jail, but is out on a $1,320 bond.

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