North Carolina mom accused of shoplifting leaves kids behind

CHARLOTTE, NC -- A Charlotte mother is charged with child abuse after she allegedly left two children behind when caught shoplifting.

Police say Airyana Burdette, 20, was spotted stealing from a Dollar General store.

The store manager told WSOC-TV he informed Burdette that if she put back the items he wouldn't call police.

Instead, she ran out of the store, leaving her 5-year-old son and another 13-year-old behind.

Burdette was arrested a short time later at a friend's house. The children were picked up at the store by a family member.