A Covington woman and daycare worker was charged with child cruelty after leaving a 5-year-old in a van after failing to check if the vehicle she was driving was empty.

According to Conyers Police, the child had been picked up from school and fell asleep in the van on the way to the Eyes on Your Child daycare at 1665 Irwin Bridge Road.

The 51-year-old employee driving reportedly failed to check the van to see if it was empty. The child was left unattended in the van, which was closed with the engine turned off, until his mother came to pick him up about 20 to 40 minutes later.

The Sept. 9 incident was reported to the Department of Children and Family Services, which in turn reported it to Conyers Police.

Catherine Brown, 51, was charged with second degree child cruelty felony, reckless conduct misdemeanor, and deprivation of a minor felony.

Brown turned herself in to the Rockdale County Jail on Sept. 18.