A North Carolina woman is facing multiple charges after police say she left two young children inside a hot vehicle while she was inside a Walmart attempting to shoplift.

According to reporting from local outlet WITN and authorities in Washington, North Carolina, the situation unfolded Saturday afternoon when officers were called to a Walmart store for a trespassing complaint. Police say 35-year-old Erika Johnson was inside the store with her 3-year-old daughter when employees noticed suspicious behavior.

Arrest warrants indicate Johnson was allegedly concealing merchandise in a trash can inside the store. Officers were preparing to take her into custody when the situation took a troubling turn. During the arrest, Johnson’s 3-year-old daughter reportedly told officers there was another child waiting in a vehicle outside.

Police say Johnson initially gave officers incorrect information about where the vehicle was located. Store employees later assisted officers by reviewing surveillance footage to determine which vehicle belonged to Johnson.

When officers located the car, they made a concerning discovery. According to the warrants, a 3-month-old infant and a 2-year-old child were inside the vehicle. Authorities told reporters the children were sweating and not moving, raising immediate concern for their safety.

Emergency responders transported both children to a nearby hospital for medical evaluation. Officials later said the children were in stable condition, but the situation quickly turned into a criminal investigation.

Johnson was taken into custody and now faces several charges. According to police, these include two counts of misdemeanor child abuse, shoplifting, second-degree trespassing, two counts of resisting a public officer, and simple possession of a Schedule III controlled substance.

Authorities also said Johnson is currently being held at the Beaufort County Detention Center without bond.

While the children are reported to be recovering, the case highlights the dangers associated with leaving young children inside vehicles, particularly in warm conditions. Safety experts frequently warn that temperatures inside a parked car can rise rapidly, even when the weather outside does not feel extreme.

Investigators have not released additional details about how long the children may have been inside the vehicle. The case remains under investigation as Johnson awaits further court proceedings.