When criminals are also parents, things can get heartbreaking very quickly.
After a robbery went awry at a Walmart in Ocala, Fla., a one-year-old baby was left behind with the ditched retail, according to police reports.
Allison Niemeyer, 19 and her sister, Laura Niemeyer, 22, attempted to shoplift $57.12 worth of clothing on Friday by placing the retail in Allison's son's diaper bag, officials say. Items included a package of men's undershirts, four women's blouses and one bathing suit.
As they left the building with the goods in the diaper bag, a security guard asked the sisters to return to the building, according to CFNews13. Allison immediately ran, with her sister soon following suit, leaving both the child and diaper bag full of retail behind. The getaway-car was a blue Ford Aerostar van, which was waiting in the parking lot for the pair and quickly left the premises after the sisters jumped in.
On Saturday night, the police received a tip from Crime Stoppers that the sisters were at a dance club in the Ocala Entertainment complex, according to The Gainesville Sun. The tip said the two had driven to the club in a silver Dodge Durango. Officials paged the vehicle owners and the sisters-brilliantly--came outside, where the police arrested them. (Hmm, you left your baby in a Walmart and you don't have a sinking feeling when you get a page?)
Allison and Laura were both charged with felony child neglect and retail theft, according to Ocala Star Banner. Allison was also charged with probation violation, in which she was under house arrest until 2021 for involvement in a 2010 home invasion robbery that included a firearm. Laura was also charged with resisting a merchant during her Walmart escape.
The Ocala Star Banner reported that Laura was still in custody on Monday, held for an $11,500 bond, and Allison is being held without bond.
Allison's son has been in the custody of the Department of Children and Families since the robbery occurred, according to The Gainesville Sun.
Walmart representatives refused to comment on the incident.
