Arizona mother left 2 children in hot car to go underwear shopping, police say

Police said Morgan Elizabeth Dowse, 25, left her children, aged 5 months and 7 years, in an unlocked car in a parking lot while she went into a Rue 21 in search of undergarments, KPHO reported.

Bystanders called police and indicated the children were left unattended for at least an hour.

Investigators found the 5-month-old unbelted, upside down and facedown in the car seat. They located Dowse in the Rue 21 with the 7-year-old, who had unbuckled himself and walked into the store.

Officers confronted her in the store while holding her 5-month-old.

Dowse started crying and told investigators she went in to exchange items but saw a good deal on underwear.

Dowse was arrested and charged with two counts of child abuse, KPHO reported.