A Westchester County mom is accused of abandoning her daughter at a Pennsylvania gas station following an altercation.
The incident happened sometime after midnight on Sunday at a Turkey Hill convenience store in Tannersville in Pocono Township.
According to local police, Toni Marie Barrett, 42, was driving with her 13-year-old daughter from a residence in Long Pond, Pa. back to their home in New Rochelle when they pulled over to check their GPS directions.
The two apparently got into a fight and exited the vehicle before Barrett allegedly threatened to stab her daughter. She then got back into the car and drove off, leaving the girl at the gas station, which was closed at the time, police said.
“Barrett then proceeded to leave the juvenile at the closed business and drove to a gas station in Effort, where she remained until police contacted her” shortly after 5 a.m., according to a news release from Monroe County.
Upon being interviewed by police, Barrett allegedly admitted she did not report the girl missing or make an effort to find her. Police said the girl was found safe, but did not release any other information about the incident.
Barrett was arrested on Sunday and charged with third-degree felony endangering the welfare of a child, as well as recklessly endangering another person and making terroristic threats, which are misdemeanors.
She was placed into the Monroe County Correctional Facility to await arraignment. The third-degree felony charge is punishable by up to seven years in prison and as much as $10,000 in fines.
