Original Blog Entry: Shoplifter runs out of store forgets baby

truesee — Wed, 04 Aug 2010 00:34:38 GMT

Shoplifter runs out of JCPenney but forgets baby, police say

Police have charged Crystal Whitaker, 23, of Lake Park, with child abuse without great harm, child neglect without causing great harm, contributing to the delinquency of a dependent and theft. (PBSO/Courtesy)

Alexandra Seltzer

The Palm Beach Post

3:21 p.m. EDT, August 3, 2010

WEST PALM BEACH

After stealing merchandise from JCPenney's junior department Saturday, two women made it through the store's exit doors without being caught, according to a police report.

But when JCPenney employees saw the women left a 10-month-old behind, it was over.

Crystal Whitaker, 23, of Lake Park, was charged with child abuse without great harm, child neglect without causing great harm, contributing to the delinquency of a dependent and theft, police records show.

Whitaker, and an unidentified woman with her, went into a dressing room with clothes to try on and came out with $256 worth of merchandise hidden in a JCPenney bag, police records show.

An employee tried stopping the women but they ran outside too quickly, the police report states.

The employee saw the 10-month-old standing on the sidewalk, all of the stolen merchandise on the ground and Whitaker's purse providing the store with her identification.

The baby and a 16-year-old seen with Whitaker were taken inside for questioning, the police report said. The 16-year-old told police she was not involved in attempting to steal the items.

The Florida Department of Children and Families came to the store to pick up the baby, the report said.

Whitaker was released on her own recognizance while being supervised, records show.

Post staff writer Eliot Kleinberg contributed to this story.

... [ More ]