EAST BRUNSWICK —A 23-year-old Helmetta woman has been charged with endangering
the welfare of a child after a police officer found the woman's sleeping unattended in a locked car in an East Brunswick parking lot.According to information released this morning by police Sgt. Paul Natalicchio, Patrolman Kevin Bolch was dispatched to the parking lot of the Shop Rite supermarket on Route 18 in the township on Monday to check a report that a child had been left alone in a car.Police said Bolch found a 2009 Toyota sedan with an 11-month old infant girl sleeping in a car seat in the rear seat of the vehicle. The vehicles windows were open slightly and the car was locked and not running, according to police.Bolch stayed with the vehicle while the back-up officer, Patrolman Jeffrey Marino, went to the service desk at the Shop Rite store to page the owner of the vehicle, the report said.The owner of the vehicle was located after checking out her
groceries at a register.Police identified the mother of the child as Olha Yefremova, 23, of Helmetta, who reported told officers that she did not want to disturb the sleeping infant.Arrangements were made with a relative of the mother to take temporary custody of the infant, police said.Yefremova was taken to police headquarters and charged with endangering the welfare of a child. She was released on her own recognizance pending a court appearance.