Woman allegedly stole car with two children left inside; mother also charged

DENHAM SPRINGS, La. (WAFB) – A Thibodeaux woman is facing charges for allegedly stealing a car with two children inside from a gas station parking lot in Denham Springs. Denham Springs police said the children's mother is also facing charges.

Denham Springs Police released the following press release about the arrests:

On August 26, 2024, just before midnight, Denham Springs Police officers were called to the Circle K on South Range Ave near Bass Pro Blvd. The caller was a mother who had left her car with the engine running and her two children (ages 6 and 4) inside while she went to the store.

While she was at the store, her vehicle was stolen, with the children inside. The vehicle was last seen leaving the area southbound on South Range Ave toward Vincent Rd.

Denham Springs police officers and Livingston Parish Sheriff's deputies responded quickly and began patrolling the area. The vehicle was found on Plantation Avenue and had driven into a ditch. The children were still inside and unharmed.

The suspect, Jennifer Gullick, was a 40-year-old woman from Thibodeaux who was believed to be staying at a nearby hotel. She was encountered walking in the area and positively identified through store surveillance.

Jennifer Gullick was arrested and charged with auto theft and aggravated kidnapping and booked into the Livingston Parish Detention Center.

The children's mother, Jameka Fields, a 31-year-old Denham Springs woman, was also arrested and charged with two counts of child abandonment, but was released from the scene with a misdemeanor summons.

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