Wichita ? Wichita police arrested a woman who they say left nine young children at a mall while she used drugs.

The children, ranging in age between less than 1 to 10 years old, were left at the Towne East Square mall Tuesday evening.

Authorities say a 35-year-old woman was supposed to be watching the children but abandoned them at the mall while she smoked methamphetamine.

KAKE-TV reports mall security noticed the children walking around unsupervised. Three of the children were returned to their parents. The other six were placed into police protective custody.

The woman was booked into the Sedgwick County jail. She faces six counts of child endangerment and possession of drug paraphernalia.