Georgia mom arrested for allegedly encouraging 7-year-old daughter to snatch purse at restaurant

Surveillance video shows what police say is a mother telling her child to steal a purse from the booth at a busy restaurant. That same family skipped out on a large bill, police say. The latest in the investigation from FOX 5 Atlanta.
A Georgia mother has been arrested for allegedly encouraging her daughter to snatch an unattended purse at a restaurant after surveillance video of the incident surfaced, and she was identified by police.
Kenya Butler, 28, of Union City has been taken into custody for a March 2 incident at The Juicy Crab in Newnan. Police say she is seen on video telling her 7-year-old daughter to take the bag from a booth.
“After the story aired in the media, we were able to identify Kenya Butler as the offender in this case,” Det. Taylor Dalton of the Newnan Police Department told FOX 5 Atlanta.
Butler is charged with contributing to the delinquency of a minor and theft by taking, both misdemeanors, police confirmed to Fox News Digital. Her 7-year-old daughter is not in any trouble.
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Surveillance video captured the 7-year-old girl reaching over to grab an unattended purse from a booth at The Juicy Crab in Newnan, Georgia, on March 2, 2024. (Provided to FOX 5 Atlanta)
Police say the mom of three declined to comment on why she allegedly told her daughter to do it, and that the group with her quickly left the restaurant after the purse was taken, skipping out on a more than $500 bill.
Investigators are looking to speak with a man they say is responsible for the bill, seen on video wearing a white shirt with the words “Fake love, rich sex.” The man has tattoos on both his arms. Anyone who can identify him is asked to call the Newnan Police Department.
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Kenya Butler, 27, is charged with contributing to the delinquency of a minor and theft by taking, FOX 5 Atlanta reports. (Newnan Police Department )
Police are looking for this man, who they say is responsible for the $500 tab the group walked out on after the purse snatching. (Provided to FOX 5 Atlanta)
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Butler was booked on March 13, police said. She made her $2,300 bond the same night, and her court appearances have not been set yet. 
The Juicy Crab did not immediately respond to a request for comment about what happened at the restaurant.