LCSO arrests woman accused of shoplifting, leaving daughter behind

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KISSIMMEE, Fla.- Two Lehigh Acres women are accused of trying to shoplift with their kids at a central Florida Publix, then taking off without them.

Lee County deputies arrested Kristen Grodetz, but her friend is still on the run.

Osceola County deputies say Jessica Barker and Grodetz were shopping Sunday at a Publix in Kissimmee.

They attempted to leave the store without paying for $476 worth of groceries. When a store employee approached them, authorities say the women took off with a toddler, leaving the two girls at the store.

Grodetz turned herself in to the Lee County Sheriff’s Office Wednesday.

The Department of Children and Families opened a child protection case against the two women.

Relatives are taking care of the two children who were left behind.

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