WBRZ - Baton Rouge

Kenner police say a 26-year-old New Orleans woman has been booked with child desertion for allegedly leaving three small children locked in her car while she shopped at the Esplanade Mall.

Detective Brian McGregor tells The Times Picayune that Carist Carter left the children, ages 7 months, 2 years and 4 years, inside a car on Saturday.

McGregor says an officer found the children in the car, crying loudly and sweating profusely. He said the car's windows were rolled up, and the engine was not running.

McGregor said the children were inside the car for about 30 minutes.

Emergency medical officials treated the children at the scene, but they were not hospitalized.

Carter remained in the Jefferson Parish Correctional Center on Monday. Bond has not been set.