Mom Nabbed Shoplifting, Flees Store Leaving 2 Sons Behind: Police

CLEARWATER, FL - A Land O’ Lakes mom attempted to shoplift some items at the JC Penney store in Countryside Mall on Saturday night while with her three children. When she got caught, the 39-year-old woman grabbed her baby and fled the store, leaving behind her 14-year-old and 2-year-old sons, an arrest affidavit says.

The woman was identified as Mahassen Elhadary, who was charged with child neglect without bodily harm, retail theft, and possession of an anti-shoplifting device, according to the report. Police say Elhadary used scissors to remove anti-shoplifting devices from clothes and shoes valued at $527 and concealed the items in a bag. Her 14-year-old son also was told to conceal some items, the report said.

When security spotted Elhadary, the report said she grabbed the baby from its stroller and ran, telling her other children to flee. Security officers caught the boys, but Elhadary got away. When police called Elhadary, she hung up on them. The stolen items were recovered, the report said.

Sherif Badawy, the boys’ father, was also at the mall and picked up his children at the store. Badawy attempted to call his wife, but she would not answer the phone, the report said She was arrested on Christmas Eve and released from jail on bond about 5 a.m. Christmas Day, jail records show.

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