Nursing Mom Accused of Stealing Toys from Oak Lawn Target

OAK LAWN, IL -- A Midlothian woman was nabbed as she walked out of Target in Oak Lawn after stealing hundreds of dollars worth of toys, prosecutors said in court Friday.

Katie Denton, 31, appeared before Cook County Judge Raymond Jagielski on a felony charge of retail theft. Police responded to Target, 4120 W. 95th St., Oak Lawn, on Oct. 27 for a report of a retail.

According to the complaint, Denton “knowingly” walked of the store with $721.85 worth of toys. Denton allegedly made admissions to taking the merchandise without paying. The incident was also captured on security video.

The prosecutor said that Denton has a prior burglary conviction for which she received probation in 2003. She has has six misdemeanors, all non-violent offenses.

The assistant public defender told the judge that Denton is the mother of six young children, and is still nursing her youngest, a 6-month-old infant. She asked for electronic home monitoring.

Judge Jagielski asked how the older children got to school. He allowed Denton a half hour in the morning and afternoon to walk her children two and from school.

“There’s no reason for you to leave the house,” Judge Jagielski said. “You’re not leave your house unless it’s on fire. Otherwise there’s an alternative.

Denton was released on a $10,000 Ibond. Her next court hearing is Nov. 17 in Bridgeview.