A Jacksonville mother was arrested Monday in Riviera Beach after leaving her three children alone in a tractor-trailer with a loaded gun, police said.

Riviera Beach police officers responded Sept. 8 to a truck stop where the rig had been parked at a gas pump for three hours, with no adults nearby.

Authorities said a 16-year-old boy rolled down the window and told officers he could not move the truck. A 5-year-old girl was also seen near the cab, and a 20-month-old girl remained inside the truck.

Police secured the baby and discovered a Glock Model 26 9mm semi-automatic pistol on the floorboard between the driver's and passenger's seats.

Mother admits leaving kids alone

TorQuita Tashe Griffin RIviera Beach Police

Police later located the mother, identified as 36-year-old TorQuita

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