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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Deputies: Woman caught stealing from Home Depot fled, abandoned 2 children

Stolen items were hidden under baby

A 31-year-old woman allegedly abandoned two children last week at a Home Depot in Spokane Valley after an employee caught her stealing inventory. Amber M. Elliott is accused of trying to smuggle items out of the store, at 5617 E. Sprague Ave., by hiding them in a car seat under her 1-year-old baby, a news release from the Spokane County Sheriff’s Office said. The employee tried to detain Elliott outside, but she fled on foot, dropping off her baby near an SUV in the parking lot. The employee stayed with the baby and called 911. Responding deputies found a man who was in the Suburban with Elliott’s other child, a 3-year-old. The man told deputies he was only getting a ride from Elliott, the children were not his, and he was not involved in the theft, the release said. Elliott has not been arrested for Friday’s incident, but deputies have filed theft and abandonment charges against her. They turned over both of her children to Child Protective Services.