Mom Talks To WPXI, Regrets Leaving Kids In SUV To Get Nails Done

A Stanton Heights mother accused of leaving her two young children alone in a sport utility vehicle while she went to get her nails done said she made a mistake.

Officers charged Lakayla Irish, 27, with two counts of endangering the welfare of a child.

Irish called Channel 11 News when she was released from jail to share her side of the story.

She admitted she left her 5-year-old and 8-year-old in her vehicle while she went in the nail salon along Penn Avenue in East Liberty Tuesday. However, she said the SUV was in her sight.

Still, she said she regrets her decision.

"Learn from me," Irish said. "It's not worth it. It was spur of the moment. I just wanted to go in there. I made a big mistake."

Irish said she loves her children and does not believe she did anything to endanger them.

Police found the children in the vehicle while Irish was in the nail salon.

"We took the kids out of the car. We called the paramedics to make sure they were OK," said Pittsburgh police Cmdr. Kevin Kraus. "It took us a little while to wake up the 8-year-old child. He was sound asleep and it took quite an effort to wake him up, so we were a little concerned about their well-being."

Police said Irish left the children unattended for about 25 minutes.

Medics examined the children, and they were later released to their grandmother.

• E-Mail Newsletter: Get The Latest News Sent To Your E-Mail! • Mobile: Get WPXI Headlines On Your Phone, iPhone, More • RSS: Add Us To Your Page!