Tonimarie A. Barrett, New Rochelle Mother, Charged After Allegedly Abandoning 13-Year-Old Daughter at Closed Gas Station Following Dispute

TANNERSVILLE, Pa. — A 42-year-old New Rochelle mother has been arrested after allegedly leaving her 13-year-old daughter at a closed gas station in Pennsylvania following an argument early Sunday morning.

According to the Monroe County District Attorney’s Office, Tonimarie A. Barrett was charged with endangering the welfare of a child, recklessly endangering another person, and making terroristic threats after an altercation with her daughter during a trip from Long Pond, Pennsylvania, to their home in New Rochelle, New York.

Police said the incident occurred shortly after midnight at a Turkey Hill convenience store in Tannersville, located in Pocono Township. Barrett and her daughter reportedly stopped to check GPS directions when an argument broke out. Both exited the vehicle, and during the confrontation, Barrett allegedly threatened to stab her daughter before driving away, leaving the teenager behind at the closed gas station.

Authorities said the girl remained at the location for several hours before walking to another Turkey Hill store nearby. She was found safe later that morning.

Investigators allege that Barrett did not attempt to contact law enforcement or report her daughter missing. When questioned, she allegedly admitted to leaving the area and remaining at another gas station in Effort, Pennsylvania, until she was located by police around 5 a.m.

A criminal complaint obtained by The Pocono Record states that the argument began when Barrett demanded her daughter’s iPad. The teen refused, fearing her mother would destroy the device. Barrett allegedly threatened the girl with a knife before the teen handed over the iPad.

Barrett was taken into custody around 7 a.m. Sunday and booked into the Monroe County Correctional Facility. The felony charge of third-degree endangering the welfare of a child carries a potential sentence of up to seven years in prison and a $10,000 fine if convicted.

The daughter’s name has not been released due to her age.