Mom's a thief

Mom goes with her two kids to a discount grocery store. She shoplifts a bottle of Children's Dimetapp cold medicine. When stopped by the security guard, she gave the medicine back, cried, and explained that she took it because her kids needed it and she couldn't afford to buy it.

The store calls the cops. Mom is charged with petty theft and second degree commercial burglary. She does community service, but through some genuine misunderstanding and bureaucratic glitches, she's short by one hour when the deadline for completing the community service rolls around.

Public Defender pleads with District Attorney to have a little understanding. D.A. replies, "She committed a crime, she had her chance to make up for it, and she failed. It's that simple." Mom is now going to jail.