A Bristol, Va., woman has been arrested after allegedly leaving her two young daughters in a car for nearly four hours while she fished at a Piney Flats park — telling police she did so because they have attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.
The children were reportedly sweating profusely when located by an officer, with one strapped in a car seat. Despite temperatures above 80 degrees they were unharmed.
Heather Royston, 26, of 1721 Pitts Town Road, was arrested Saturday night by the Sullivan County Sheriff's Office and charged with child abuse and neglect. Police were advised Royston and another woman were fishing at a dock, located at 335 Sunset Road, and left two children in the car for several hours. The complainant, according to an arrest report on the incident, says this had occurred "on several occasions."
Shortly before 9 p.m. a deputy located the car with the two young girls inside, and windows half way down. The officer says Royston and the other woman were fishing on a dock approximately 40 feet away, and did not acknowledge the police presence for "several minutes."
It was not until the officer walked down to the women that Royston took notice. According to the arrest report Royston claimed her children had been inside the vehicle for "only" an hour. Witnesses reported the girls had been left approximately four hours.
Royston allegedly stated she had left her daughters in the car because, "they have ADHD." Police made a referral on the incident to the Department of Children's Services.
Royston was arrested and charged with child abuse and neglect. She has since been released from the Sullivan County jail on $5,000 bond.
