A Spartanburg woman was arrested Sunday after she let her 3-year-old son and 9-year-old nephew walk to a McDonald’s restaurant near her home, police said.Spartanburg police said they were called to McDonald’s on Garner Road about two abandoned children. The 9-year-old was able to direct an officer to his aunt’s home, less than a quarter mile away.Tiesha Hillstock came to the door of the apartment on Broadview Drive, the officer said. The officer said she was asked if she knew where the children were, and Hillstock said she had allowed them to walk to McDonald’s to play in the play area. She said the boys had left the house at 6:30 p.m. and she told them to be back by 7 p.m. Hillstock told the officer that she trusted the 9-year-old to take care of his cousin.The officer said the boys had to cross a street and pass several businesses and homes to get to McDonald’s, putting their safety at risk.Hillstock was arrested and charged with unlawful neglect of a child. She was being held in the Spartanburg County Detention Center.The 9-year-old was placed in the custody of his grandmother, who lives with Hillstock. The 3-year-old was returned to the custody of his mother, who said her son was visiting Hillstock during spring break.

A Spartanburg woman was arrested Sunday after she let her 3-year-old son and 9-year-old nephew walk to a McDonald’s restaurant near her home, police said.

Spartanburg police said they were called to McDonald’s on Garner Road about two abandoned children. The 9-year-old was able to direct an officer to his aunt’s home, less than a quarter mile away.


Tiesha Hillstock came to the door of the apartment on Broadview Drive, the officer said. The officer said she was asked if she knew where the children were, and Hillstock said she had allowed them to walk to McDonald’s to play in the play area. She said the boys had left the house at 6:30 p.m. and she told them to be back by 7 p.m. Hillstock told the officer that she trusted the 9-year-old to take care of his cousin.

The officer said the boys had to cross a street and pass several businesses and homes to get to McDonald’s, putting their safety at risk.

Hillstock was arrested and charged with unlawful neglect of a child. She was being held in the Spartanburg County Detention Center.

The 9-year-old was placed in the custody of his grandmother, who lives with Hillstock. The 3-year-old was returned to the custody of his mother, who said her son was visiting Hillstock during spring break.