ELK GROVE, Calif. -- A 29-year-old mother was arrested Monday after leaving her child in an unlocked car, police said.

Juana Perez left her 2-year-old daughter inside a Toyota RAV4 Monday in front of the Home Goods store on Bruceville Road, Officer Christopher Trim, spokesman of the Elk Grove Police Department, said.

Witnesses said the child, who was asleep, was left alone for about 30 minutes. They said they searched for her mother without avail, and then contacted police.

Child Protective Services was notified, and the toddler was later released to a relative, Trim said.

Perez was arrested on suspicion of child endangerment. According to jail records, she has posted bail.

Trim said Perez gave officers a reason for why she left the child in the car. However, that information was not released.