On Monday, a Kennesaw man says what was supposed to be a routine trip to Town Center at Cobb took a jarring turn when he spotted a little girl wandering alone in the parking lot. When he followed her back to a vehicle, he says he found her younger brothers inside a running car with no adult in sight, and he alerted police.
Winfrid Webb told WSB‑TV that he first noticed the girl walking near the lot, then went to check on the car she had come from. The station published video showing the moment he opened the door and discovered the children inside. According to WSB‑TV, Webb said the vehicle was running and there was no adult present.
“Did someone just abandon them?” Webb asked, according to the station, adding that the scene reminded him of his own family. Channel 2 said it planned a longer interview with Webb during its 5 p.m. Action News broadcast and reported that its team is continuing to follow the situation.
How authorities handle unattended children
When officers encounter unattended children, they typically coordinate with the Georgia Division of Family & Children Services. DFCS accepts reports of suspected abuse or neglect around the clock and can open protective-custody or investigation actions when needed. The agency’s website explains how to file a report and what steps the state may take after a complaint is made.
Legal implications
Under Georgia law, willful abandonment of a dependent child can be prosecuted under O.C.G.A. § 19‑10‑1, as outlined by Justia. Other conduct that puts a child in danger can fall under statutes such as O.C.G.A. § 16‑5‑70, which covers various forms of cruelty to children and is detailed by Justia.
Penalties vary depending on the circumstances, with both misdemeanor and felony consequences possible under the law. For now, the public picture of the mall incident comes from Webb’s account and the video published by WSB‑TV. This story will be updated if law enforcement or child-welfare officials release additional information.
