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Mom Accused Of Leaving Kids Outside Of Store To Stand Trial

ROCHESTER (KDKA) – A Beaver County woman is facing a trial after allegedly leaving her two children alone in a parking lot outside of a store.

The kids, ages 4 and 6, were seen playing alone on the merry-go-round while police say their mother was inside the Rochester Kmart; she was allegedly under the influence and stealing merchandise.

Shoppers and employees are pretty upset.

"Anything could happen. They could get picked up, hit by a car," said Merrianne Hoopes, a store employee.

"How could you leave your kids? This society's bad, it's really bad," added Ron Amadio, of Center Township.

The mother is identified as 24-year-old Lyndsey Veitz of New Brighton.

She's charged with endangering the welfare of children, retail theft, possession of a controlled substance, and public drunkenness for the Aug. 8 incident.

When KDKA stopped by her apartment, she was out on $1,500 bail and her two kids were still with her. But Veitz didn't want to talk.

KDKA's Paul Martino: "It doesn't sound too good. We wanted to get your side of the story. Can I see you for one minute?

Veitz told us through the door that the charges aren't true and her kids are fine.

She goes to trial in January.

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