Woman who left son at mall turns herself in

HAZELWOOD, Mo. (AP) -- A woman who left her 3-year-old son at a mall has turned herself in to Hazelwood police.

Police Captain Gregg Hall says 28-year-old Shameka Taylor of St. Louis blames miscommunication for the child being left behind on Saturday. The boy, Cortez Bass, was one of eight children attending a birthday party with his mother and an aunt.

Cortez was discovered alone Saturday night at NASCAR SpeedPark in the St. Louis Mills mall and placed in emergency foster care.

Taylor called police Sunday, but didn't come in for questioning after asking if she was going to be arrested.

She had two outstanding warrants, for stealing and probation violation. Officials now are investigating whether she endangered the welfare of the child.