San Diego
A La Mesa woman who pleaded guilty to child abandonment during a shoplifting incident at a department store was sentenced Friday to 120 days in jail and five years’ probation.
Della Youngblood, 20, was sentenced by Municipal Judge Allan J. Preckel for deserting her children with the intent to abandon them and for petty theft with a prior theft conviction.
“She endangered her children and further endangered the security guard who went after her,” Preckel said.
Youngblood left her 2-year-old twin daughters in front of the J. C. Penney store in the Fashion Valley shopping center while store detectives were pursuing her June 19.
Youngblood fled in a car, eluding the guards. She was arrested the next day.
Youngblood, who also has a son and is pregnant, was called “immature” by her attorney, Mary Jo Barr. Barr said the three children are in the care of their paternal grandparents.
Youngblood was sentenced under a plea bargain with prosecutors. Deputy Dist. Atty. Robert W. Sickels asked the court for probation, saying he wanted to see the family reunited.
Sign up for Essential California
The most important California stories and recommendations in your inbox every morning.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
