VALDOSTA, Ga. (WALB) - A mother and stepfather have been arrested after their children, ages seven and nine, were found wandering by themselves on two separate occasions, the Valdosta Police Department (VPD) announced on May 30.

The mother was identified by VPD as Sha Roberts, 30. The stepfather is Earnest Chandler, 59, officials said. They were each arrested for reckless conduct (misdemeanor), and Roberts received an additional charge of criminal attempt to commit a felony – cruelty to children in the second degree, VPD said.

The Department of Family and Children Services (DFACS) has taken custody of all the children in Roberts’ and Chandler’s home, according to VPD.

VPD said officers responded to a call to Hudson Dockett Homes on May 27 at 4 p.m. after DFACS said two children had gone missing. Officials said DFACS was investigating when Roberts told them two of her children were not home. She said she did not know where they were, VPD said.

Detectives found the seven and nine-year-old walking on Savannah Avenue around 9 p.m., VPD said in a press release. An investigation determined that the children left the home at about 7 a.m., according to the release. VPD said Chandler was also unaware that the children had left.

As a result, both Roberts and Chandler were arrested and taken to the Lowndes County Jail.

Further investigation determined that the same two children were missing and later found by VPD on May 26, just a day before they were found walking on Savannah Avenue. On May 26, the children were found in the Walmart on Norman Drive after employees called VPD saying the children had been wandering the store for over an hour, VPD’s release said. VPD said their investigation revealed that the children rode their bikes from Hudson Dockett to the Walmart. VPD said Roberts told them she did not know that the children were gone this time either.

Hudson Dockett Homes is located at 807 South Fry Street, Valdosta Police said.

Valdosta Police Chief Leslie Manahan said this effort was a great example of teamwork between VPD and DFACS.

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