Irmo mother arrested for leaving young child alone at park to go shopping

IRMO, S.C. (WACH) — Irmo Police arrested a 55-year-old woman for unlawful conduct toward a child after she allegedly left her child at a park to go grocery shopping.

Frankie Campbell-Provo is accused of dropping off her child at the Irmo Community Park located in the 7500 block of Eastview Drive on Saturday, May 4.

“As a parent, I am disappointed at the situation this child was placed in,” said Chief Bobby Dale. “Anything could’ve happened to them, and they had no way to call for help and no adult there to make sure they were safe. I want to thank the person who called us, they saw something, and most importantly, they said something. I am very proud of our officers for how they responded to the call, how they made sure this child felt safe and for taking swift, appropriate action.”

Officials say around 7:40 p.m., a 9-1-1 caller said their grandchild had been playing with a child for at least an hour who did not have an adult or guardian around.

ALSO | Illegal gambling ring next to day care, 10 arrested in Irmo: $15K seized

The child told the caller that they’d been dropped off by their mother but did not know how to get in contact with her, according to police.

When officers arrived, the child was able to give them their mother’s name and the type of vehicle she drove.

Officials say, the child, is under the age of 10, and was visibly scared and was given something to eat and drink.

Just after 8 p.m. officers saw a vehicle matching the child’s description, drive by, and not stop.

Another officer initiated a traffic stop and Campbell-Provo was arrested.

Police say she admitted that she was the child’s mother and would be back for the child at 8 p.m. She acknowledged that the child did not have a cell phone or any means of communication and appeared to not understand the danger she placed the child in.

The child was released into the custody of a family member.

She is being held at the Alvin S. Glenn Detention Center.

Campbell-Provo faces up to 10 years in prison.