SALISBURY — A Rowan County couple have been charged with leaving their infant children in a running vehicle outside their home.

The Rowan County Sheriff’s Office charged Chrystal Lippard Power, 34, and Michael Wayne Power Jr., 37, both of the 600 block of Briar Creek Drive, with two counts each of misdemeanor child abuse.

A 911 caller reported a disturbance among family members at the home about 10 p.m. Friday.

Authorities said two people who were at the home left but returned by the time law officers arrived. The officers determined that alcohol was involved in the dispute and contacted the grandmother to take two younger children home with her.

Officers were about to leave when a daughter of Chrystal Power told them her mother had left the babies in a minivan. The van had apparently been running during the dispute.

An officer asked the Powers if they were “done for the night” and if they had forgotten anything. Both said no. Officers found the infants still in their car seats, one in the middle row and one in the third row of the van. The report noted the temperature was about 90 degrees at the time.

The incident was reported to the Rowan County Department of Social Services.

Chrystal Power was released from the Rowan County Detention Center under a $1,000 secured bond. Michael Power was released under a $5,000 secured bond.

Contact reporter Shavonne Walker at 704-797-4253.