A 27-year-old mother left her 4-year-old daughter behind Thursday night when she was caught shoplifting, according to Philadelphia police.
WTXF reported that store security caught the girl's mother trying to leave a Macy's store through an exit to the street.
She had over $1,500 worth of merchandise when she was caught, authorities said.
Police said the mother, daughter and merchandise were taken to the store security office.
The mother managed to leave while security went through the merchandise, according to police, who arrived just after 6 p.m..
Philadelphia police officers tried to locate the mother by speaking with her daughter.
Authorities said the daughter told them her mother's name and where she lived.
Police contacted the girl's family members and the Department of Human Services.
The 4-year-old was taken in by her grandmother.
On the way to a police car with an officer just before 8 p.m., the girl repeatedly asked the officer why her mother left her, according to reports.
Police are still looking for the girl's mother.
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