Teenagers and their parents often disagree on things. Tensions can run high, and both parents and children say and do things they might regret. Hopefully, those words and actions aren’t unlawful, but sadly, sometimes they are. Tonimarie Barrett, a mom from New York, allegedly had too much of her daughter and left the 13-year-old at a gas station alone. The mom now faces several charges, including a felony charge.
Around 5:20 a.m. on November 9, 2025, officers responded to a call about a teen left alone at a Turkey Hill Convenience Store in Tannersville, Pennsylvania, according to a release from the Pocono Township Police Department. During the investigation, officers learned that Barrett and her daughter got into a disagreement while driving their home in New Rochelle, New York. The pair stopped at a closed Turkey Hill location to try to get directions from the GPS. While stopped, the mother and daughter allegedly began to argue.
The teenager told police she and her mother got out of the car at the gas station. Barrett allegedly threatened to stab her daughter before getting back in her car and leaving, per the police release. She reportedly abandoned the teen and then stopped at another gas station, where she remained until 7 a.m. Police said Barrett admitted she didn’t report the teen missing and didn’t do anything to look for her.
Officers arrested Barrett and took her to the Monroe County Correctional Facility. She faces a felony charge of endangering the welfare of a child. She also faces misdemeanor terroristic threat and reckless endangerment charges.
Sure, parents and their teens argue. This can be particularly true in a stressful situation. But, where is the adult in this case? If Barrett really fought with her teenage daughter and left her alone at a closed gas station, she acted like a child herself. It’s not easy being a mom, but it’s our job to take the higher road and model good behavior for our kids. Pouting and winning is certainly not worth a felony.
