NJ Duo Left Toddlers In Car, Went To Wine Tasting: Prosecutor

WHITE TOWNSHIP, NJ — A man and woman have been charged after leaving two toddlers in the car while they went into a Warren County winery, officials said.

The Warren County Prosecutor's Office said that staff at Four Sisters Winery called state police to report that the duo came in for a tasting session on Feb. 25, and left a two-year-old and a three-year-old in the parking lot.

The children were unattended for about 20 minutes, staff at Four Sisters told officials. High temperatures that day were about 40 degrees Fahrenheit, according to WeatherUnderground.

The duo left before troopers arrived, but officials were able to track the vehicle to Harmony Township and make sure the children were unharmed, said the Warren County Prosecutor's Office.

The winery is located on Route 519 in White Township.

On April 25, officials charged Phillipsburg residents John J. O'Mahoney, 43, and Radhika Vyas, 37, with two counts of fourth-degree cruelty and neglect to children. This offense carries a maximum sentence of 18 months in state prison.

Acting chief of detectives Brenton S. Warne announced the charges against them on April 29, and officials told residents "it is not acceptable to leave young children unattended in a vehicle, and that doing so for even a short period of time can result in tragic consequences."

The prosecutor's office also recognized the staff at Four Sisters for notifying officials that the children were potentially in danger.