CHESTERFIELD COUNTY, Va. (WTVR) - Shoppers expressed concerns over an incident that happened in a parking lot of a Chestefield shopping center.
27-year-old Joy Gresham allegedly left her three kids in the car in 80 degree weather while shopping at The Village at Swift Creek on Friday.
"I think that's awful for a mother," Trina Davis said.
Police charged and arrested Gresham with three counts of felony child neglect.
All of the children were under the age of eight years old. They were checked out and released to a family member, but police could not tell us how long the kids were left in the car or why.
"The bottom-line is that you never know when you're going to be held up or how long you're going to be tied up--your kids out there in the car," shopper Paul Kline said. "They're kind of your most precious cargo," he added. "You shouldn't be leaving them out there."
CBS 6 went to Gresham's home to get her side of the story. However, we found a man claiming to be her boyfriend, who told CBS 6 off camera, "The allegations against her are untrue. She loves her kids and would not leave them in the car or harm them in any way."
He said Gresham ran into Babies "R" Us to buy one of her sons a pair of shoes.
One neighbor said she's just as concerned and surprised to hear the allegations against her.
"I just wish her family the best," Jillian Chilson said. "I wish the kids the best that she can get the help she needs, if it does turn out to be true."
Gresham is currently behind bars. She's scheduled to appear in the Chesterfield Juvenile and Domestic Court on Monday at noon.
