Authorities are searching for a woman who abandoned her young child at a Riverside grocery store.
Riverside police said the unidentified woman entered the Food-4-Less store at 4250 Van Buren Blvd. just before 6 p.m. on March 12 with her 2-year-old daughter. However, a short time later, the toddler wandered off.
According to police, the child's mother "never sought out the child's whereabouts and continued shopping."
A customer spotted the child and took her to her mother, but police said the mother responded: "Oh just leave her."
Police said the mother then left the young girl behind after she paid for groceries.
When shown a picture from surveillance footage, the little girl identified the woman as her "mommy."
Police said the child has not been reported missing. She is now in the custody of Child Protective Services.
The mother is described as 20 to 30 years old with dark hair, and she was last seen wearing a black or dark tank-top and denim shorts. Police said she may have portions of her right arm covered in tattoos.
Anyone who recognizes the woman is urged to contact Riverside police Det. Paul Miranda at 951-353-7945 or pmiranda@riversideca.gov.
