PHOENIX -- Police say a 27-year-old Mesa woman left her children in an unlocked car while she went inside a bar near 43rd Avenue and Bell Road Saturday night.
A Phoenix police officer responded to the Hurricane Bay nightclub after two children, ages 6 and 8, were found sleeping in a car in the parking lot. The vehicle reportedly was unlocked and the keys were sitting on the driver's seat.
The club deejay made an announcement asking for the parents of the children to go to their car.
According to court paperwork, a woman, later identified as Rebecca Barrera, arrived at the car and denied being the children's mother. She said she was a friend of the mother and would go find her.
A female officer along with security staff entered the nightclub and found Barrera attempting to hide in the women's restroom. She was escorted outside and admitted to being the children's mother.
According to police, Barrera's blood alcohol content was .152. The children's aunt came to the scene and picked up the kids, who were sleeping at the time.
Police say Barrera admitted to having multiple drinks before driving to Hurricane Bay with her children in the car.
Barrera was arrested for two counts of child abuse.
