Police: Manchester Woman Shoplifts, Leaves 2 Young Children in Car

A Manchester woman is facing several charges after she allegedly left two young children in an unheated car while she shoplifted from a store at Evergreen Walk in South Windsor on Wednesday.

Sharmerra Canty, 26, of 120 Rachel Road, Manchester, allegedly left two children - ages 1 and 3 - in a locked car that was not running to supply heat in Evergreen Walk’s parking lot while Canty attempted to take items from the Gap Kids store without paying for them, according South Windsor Police Sgt. Scott Custer.

Store security detained Canty and contacted police, who later found out about the children in the car as they arrested Canty, Custer said.

The temperature outside at the time was 34 degrees, according to Custer.

Canty was charged with risk of injury to a minor and larceny in the sixth degree and was released on a $5,000 surety bond. She is scheduled to appear at Manchester Superior Court on Feb. 28.

Arrangements were made for a relative to come to the scene to take custody of the children, Custer said.