Police Charge Mom who Left Baby at Dollar Tree

The woman who left her baby unattended at Dollar Tree in the Cranston Parkade yesterday has been charged with cruelty or neglect of a child.

Police said the woman, identified as Desiree Pope, of Providence, will be arraigned on the felony and charged today in Kent County District Court.

Cranston Police Chief Col. Marco Palombo Jr. said that officers went to the Dollar Tree around 2 p.m. yesterday and store employees said the baby was found alone at the end of an aisle in a baby stroller and efforts to find a guardian were unsuccessful.

The child was "responsive but appeared lethargic," Palombo said, and the baby was soon transported to Hasbro Children's Hospital by Cranston Rescue. 

"The medical status of the child has remained the same," Palombo said.

About 30 minutes after police were called about the found child, Pope arrived at Cranston Police Headquarters to report her child missing. Police quickly determined that she was the mother of the child found at Dollar Tree.

"Police Investigators are coordinating with DCYF to continue the inquiry in determining how the incident occurred and the condition of the child," Palombo said.