GRAND JUNCTION, COLO. - On May 14, 2026, deputies with the Mesa County Sheriff’s Office responded to a call of shoplifting at a store on the 3200 block of I-70 Business Loop. Deputies collected surveillance footage of the involved suspects, as well as identified the vehicle the group left in.

While contacting the registered owner of the vehicle, deputies were able to identify the primary suspect as Ashley Peters,36, of Grand Junction, Colorado. Deputies also learned that at least one of the individuals in the surveillance video was a minor.

Later that same day, deputies conducted a traffic stop during which Peters’ was contacted. She was taken into custody on a warrant for an unrelated case. During her arrest, deputies learned that children in her care were left unattended at her residence for an extended period of time. Deputies performed a welfare check at the residence with assistance of Child Protective Services, where the children were taken into protective custody.

Peters was transported to the Mesa County Detention Facility on the following charges related to this case:

• Theft, less than $300 - Shoplifting, Petty Offense
• Second degree contributing to the delinquency of a minor, Misdemeanor 1
• Child abuse - knowingly/recklessly - no injury, Misdemeanor 2
• Child abuse - knowingly/recklessly - no injury, Misdemeanor 2
• Child abuse - knowingly/recklessly - no injury, Misdemeanor 2

No further information is available at this time.