By Shavonne Walker

shavonne.walker@salisburypost.com

Police say a Salisbury woman hit a child with her car while backing out of a parking lot where children were playing and struck a 6-year-old boy. The boy is fine and the woman was charged for not reporting the incident, police officials said.

Salisbury Police charged Jennifer Marie Shinault, 27, of the 200 block of West D Avenue, with misdemeanor failure to report an accident.

The incident occurred Monday at the Colonial Village Apartments, 231 West D Avenue, around 5 p.m. Police Capt. Shelia Lingle said there were parents near the parking lot watching a group of children play in the parking lot.

Shinault was backing up when she hit the boy. She told police she heard a noise. She got out and saw the child. Shinault asked the boy if he was OK and he said he was, Lingle said.

Shinault left the area, but returned a short time later and police were called. The mother of the child refused EMS service at the scene, but said she would take the child to the hospital on her own. Shinault was arrested and issued a written promise to appear in court. She is expected in court for an April 15 court appearance.

Lingle advises anyone who is involved in an accident to call law enforcement and stay at the scene, especially if it involves a child, she said.

Contact reporter Shavonne Walker at 704-797-4253.