Grandmom Faces Neglect Charge For Leaving Boy, 11, at Walmart, Deputies Say

A grandmother faces child neglect charges after deputies say she lost track of her 11-year-old grandson at a Bradenton Walmart and left him there.

According to a report from the Manatee County Sheriff's Office, the woman and boy had gone to the Walmart at 2911 53rd Ave. E. around 2 p.m. Sunday to exchange paint.

The woman, who has not been identified, was unable to make the transaction without her credit card, which she had left at home, deputies said.

During that time the grandmother had lost track of the child in the store. She looked for the boy, with help from Walmart employees, but was unable to find him. So she decided to go home and get her credit card, "assuming the child was still in the store," a sheriff's report states.

After returning to Walmart to complete her transaction, she looked for the boy again, but he could not be found, deputies said. At about 5:15 p.m., the sheriff's office was contacted, and deputies began an extensive search for the child.

At about 6:50 p.m., Bradenton Police located the child, who was unharmed and had apparently walked from Walmart to his home about four miles away.

Charges of child neglect are pending against the woman, officials said.

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