Toddlers Left Alone In Car While Dad Shopped At Walmart: Cops

HODGKINS, IL -- Two-year-old twins were found alone in a car while their father went shopping at Walmart, who was later found to be packing a gun, prosecutors said. Israel Quintero, 25, of Chicago, appeared before Cook County Judge John Mahoney on a felony charge of aggravated unlawful use of a weapon. Quintero was also charged with misdemeanor child endangerment.

A citizen flagged down Hodgkins police after she noticed two young children left alone inside a car at the Hodgkins Walmart around 2 p.m. Dec. 2. The prosecutor said one of the twins was sitting on the center console, the other was “roaming around the car.” The father, identified as Quintero, returned to the car.

The prosecutor said the children were left unattended for at least 14 minutes. Quintero allegedly indicated he was carrying a gun before police patted him down. Police found a loaded .380 Ruger. The prosecutor said Quintero told police that he was going to a shooting range. Quintero had a FOID card but no conceal carry license.

The assistant public defender told the judge that Quintero was a full-time truck driver. Quintero was released on a $10,000 I-bond. His next court date is Dec. 31 in Bridgeview.

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