Kristen Reeves: Walmart Shoplifter Used Baby As Human Shield While Fleeing Arrest [Video]

Kristen Reeves, a Walmart shoplifter, reportedly used her baby as a human shield to flee arrest — hitting the child’s head in her escape and ultimately leaving baby Laila behind. That’s the disturbing report that you’ll see in the video up top from local news station KHOU11, which reported on the July 3 crime in Houston, Texas.

Another copy of the video, along with a transcript, has been posted online by KVUE news.

The 24-year-old mother is reportedly on surveillance video stealing a cell phone in order to return it for a refund — a constant problem in many department stores. But Kristen Reeves’ Walmart caper came to an inglorious end when she was questioned by security employees.

Apparently, she realized that the scam wasn’t going to play. According to Harris County deputies, she put the baby between herself and the loss prevention officers and then made a run for it, even knocking the 15-month-old baby’s head against a fire extinguisher in her rush to flee.

Reeves did get away from the Walmart — but at the cost of leaving her baby behind.

When she returned later for the child, she was arrested and booked into the Harris County Jail.

According to the KHOU11 report, it’s believed that she has already lost custody of a three year old and a seven year old. Now Child Protection Services are investigating to see what will happen with baby Laila.

Awful as it sounds, it isn’t the first time that a shoplifter has brought a baby along for the ride when shoplifting at a Texas Walmart.

In Decenber 2012, KHOU reported that a six-person ring was arrested at a Walmart in Porter, Texas while shoplifting about $2,000 worth of items.

An adult male was reportedly waiting with a baby in their vehicle. When he realized that the theft was going bad, he fled with the baby.

However, he too was later arrested, and the child was placed with a relative.

Maybe the quick Kristen Reeves’ Walmart arrest will discourage other shoplifters from using their babies as human shields.

[Walmart exterior photo by Ben Schumin via Wikimedia]