Toddler, Infant Found 'Unconscious' In Walmart Lot: San Jacinto

SAN JACINTO, CA — A homeless woman who allegedly left her two young children unattended in a running vehicle for more than two hours in a San Jacinto Walmart parking lot remained jailed Wednesday.

Sarah Casciato, 29, was arrested at 5:02 p.m. Monday after a citizen reported the incident in the lot at 1861 S. San Jacinto Ave.

According to the sheriff's department, deputies found a 1-year-old girl and 2-year-old boy "unconscious" in a black Toyota Solara.

"Deputies removed the children from the car, and fire personnel began performing life-saving measures. The children were taken to Hemet Valley Hospital via American Medical Response for advanced care," the sheriff's department reported.

Deputies worked with Walmart security to find the mother, later identified as Casciato.

Evidence indicated the woman left her kids unattended in the vehicle for over two hours, the sheriff's department reported. There was no word from authorities on where the woman had been.

According to the sheriff's department, methamphetamine and heroin were found inside the car "within arm’s reach of both children."

After their mother's arrest, the children were turned over to Child Protective Services.

Casciato remained jailed at Larry D. Smith Correctional Facility in Banning on suspicion of drug and child endangerment charges. She was being held in lieu of a $500,000 bond and is due in court Thursday.