A Turlock woman worried she would be apprehended for shoplifting, fled the department store she was in, leaving behind the two young children in her company.

Asyeshah Karriem, 43, was arrested by Stanislaus County parole agents Wednesday, a day after she allegedly ran from the Turlock Kohl’s store, leaving two boys — a 10-year-old and an 11-year-old — in her wake.

The incident began around 6 p.m. Tuesday when a Turlock Police officer was called to the department store at 2751 Countryside Dr. to take custody of a suspected shoplifter.

Karriem wasn’t the intended subject of the arrest, but came under the eyes of loss prevention agents while the officer was en route. The agents suspected Karriem of shoplifting, according to the police report.

One of the agents pointed Karriem out to the officer and when she noticed the attention directed at her, she took off running through the store and made her escape out an exit. She left behind the two boys and the merchandise she was allegedly attempting to steal, said Turlock Police Lt. Steven Williams.

Child Protective Services were contacted and took temporary custody of the boys until they were released to a family friend.

Karriem has prior convictions for robbery and petty theft. She is currently facing misdemeanor charges of vehicular manslaughter and driving on a suspended license, stemming from a collision that claimed the life of a 12-year-old boy, who was a passenger in her car.

Karriem was arrested on a parole violation. She could also be facing additional charges of child endangerment, child abandonment and contributing to the delinquency of a minor.

She is being held in custody without bail.

To contact Sabra Stafford, e-mail sstafford@turlockjournal.com or call 634-9141 ext. 2002.