MONTICELLO, KY – A weekend trip to a Walmart escalated into a troubling situation when a father allegedly involved his teenage son in a shoplifting attempt, according to law enforcement authorities in Monticello. The plan was thwarted, and officials say the father’s decisions have led to multiple charges.

Jonathan Carlton, 32, is facing serious accusations, including abandonment of a minor, unlawful transactions with a minor, and endangering the welfare of a minor. Police officers report that a security officer at the store intercepted the youth while he attempted to leave with a shopping cart filled with unpaid items.

Police were subsequently alerted, and an officer from the Monticello Police Department, identified as Major Josh Asberry, apprehended Carlton at a nearby shopping center. Carlton was then transferred to the Wayne County Detention Center, where he was formally charged.

During questioning, Carlton’s son reportedly revealed that his father had instructed him to move the items past the checkout without paying and had left him alone in the store thereafter. Adding to the complexity of the situation, Carlton’s wife—a stepmother to the boy—was also present but outside in their vehicle.

According to law enforcement, the stepmother informed them that Carlton had exited the store and instructed her to leave the vicinity, which she did, eventually driving to the Monticello Motel, where the family was reportedly staying.

Neither Carlton nor the stepmother reportedly reached out to law enforcement regarding the child’s situation.

Despite her involvement, police have not filed charges against the stepmother, and her name does not appear in the state’s court records related to this case. The ongoing investigation now includes the involvement of Child Protective Services to ensure the minor’s welfare and safety.

Authorities in Monticello are still piecing together the events leading up to the attempted theft, emphasizing the seriousness of involving a minor in such activities. No additional suspects have been reported, but the investigation remains active as officials work to clarify all involved parties’ actions.