Mom arrested after kids found unattended in car in bitter cold

BELOIT (WITI) -- Beloit police say a 23-year-old mother was arrested on Monday, January 6th for allegedly leaving her two young children inside a vehicle while she shopped at Walmart. The temperature at the time was -12 degrees, with a wind chill of -34 degrees -- according to Beloit police.

Beloit police say an officer was flagged down in the Walmart parking lot on Milwaukee Road in Beloit.

A citizen reported to the officer that a vehicle was parked in the lot, not running, with two small children inside.

The children, ages 18 months and five years would not open the locked doors.

An officer was speaking with the children when the childrens' mother walked up.

Police say an investigation determined the children had been left unattended for about 10 minutes.

The children were evaluated by paramedics and were determined to be fine. Child Protective Services authorized release of the children to a family member.

The childrens' mother, Codi Davis of Beloit was arrested for two misdemeanor counts of child neglect.