Mom Leaves 2 Little Boys In Freezing Car With Loaded Gun: JPD

JOLIET, IL — A 29-year-old Joliet woman was arrested on Friday night after Joliet police say Kadesha Clark left her two young boys inside her Nissan Sentra while she went shopping for a long time at the Target store on Plainfield Road, also leaving a loaded gun under the front seat.

According to Joliet police, Clark was later released on a notice to appear for two charges of endangering the life or health of a child and one count of aggravated unlawful use of a weapon.

Joliet police spokesman Dwayne English said the incident happened around 5:10 p.m.

He said officers responded to the parking lot of the Target at 2701 Plainfield Road for a small child unattended in a Nissan Sentra.

Officers saw a 2-year-old boy sitting in the front seat with the window down. Officers found a second child, an 8-year-old boy, lying on the floorboard of the rear seat.

The engine was not running, and no adults were in the car. The temperature was 9 degrees Fahrenheit, with a wind chill of approximately minus 10 degrees Fahrenheit.

Officers placed the boys in a warm squad car and approximately 15 minutes later, a woman approached the Nissan with purchased merchandise from the Target store.

Officers learned Clark was the mother of both boys. The children were left unattended in the vehicle for approximately 45 minutes prior to the arrival of the Joliet police, according to officials.

Clark believed she had left the vehicle running for the children, police said. She was placed into custody without incident.

As for the gun, officers learned from one of the children that a handgun may be under the driver’s seat. Officers searched the Nissan Sentra and found a loaded handgun under the front seat.

Clark did not possess a FOID card or a concealed carry license, Joliet police announced.

DCFS was contacted and responded to the scene. The children were eventually placed into the care of other family, English noted.

As of 10 a.m. Monday, a Joliet police mugshot for Clark was not available, and English said he would send one out as soon as he obtained it.