Mom Suspected of Abandoning Toddler in Food 4 Less in Custody

A Riverside woman suspected of abandoning her 2-year-old daughter at a supermarket remains in custody Wednesday in lieu of $35,000 bail.

Chiengkham Vilaysane, 31, was arrested Tuesday on suspicion of child abuse and negligence in the care of a minor following an investigation that began Sunday night.

Vilaysane is being held at the Robert Presley Jail in downtown Riverside.

The case is expected to be submitted to the Riverside County District Attorney's Office for review this afternoon. If charges are filed, her arraignment will be set for 1:30 p.m. Thursday -- unless she posts bail.

Vilaysane's daughter was left in the Food-4-Less at 4250 Van Buren Blvd. around 5:55 p.m. Sunday after the suspect paid for her groceries, according to police.

Vilaysane entered the store with the child in tow and while inside, the toddler wandered off, according to police, who said that the woman never attempted to determine the child's whereabouts and continued shopping.

As Vilaysane was preparing to check out, a good Samaritan brought the child to her, and the mother allegedly responded, "Oh, just leave her," before walking out of the store, police said.

"It appears the toddler was intentionally left in the store by the mother,"according to a police statement. "The small child was able to identify the woman as her 'mommy' when she was shown a photo from the surveillance footage."

The toddler was never reported missing. She's now in the custody of Riverside County Child Protective Services personnel.

Vilaysane's image was broadcast via numerous media outlets and posted all over social media. According to Detective Paul Miranda, a teller at a bank in the 10300 block of Magnolia Avenue recognized Vilaysane from media reports about 4:30 p.m. Tuesday and contacted the police. Officers arrived a short time later and arrested the suspect without incident.

Copyright CNS - City News Service
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