CLAY COUNTY, Fla. -- Two women accused of using their children as decoys in a shoplifting scheme were arrested at a Clay County department store on Tuesday.

Investigators arrested Melissa Blankenship, 22, and Alicia Metcalf, 30, outside the Kohl's store in Fleming Island when one of the store's loss prevention officers stopped the pair.

According to a police report, a loss prevention officer told deputies the women were seen in the store taking clothing from hangers and placing the garments underneath their children, who were sitting in shopping carts.

"A couple of moms started getting creative and they used their children actually to be able to store and hide the merchandise," said Clay County Sheriff's Office Lt. Donnie Deas.

A loss prevention officer told authorities he saw Blankenship and Metcalf leave the store and approached the women in the parking lot.

"They started arguing in the parking lot until finally the loss prevention officer was able to quell the argument and talk to them and bring them into custody for further questioning," Deas said.

He said after further questioning, officers found more stolen items in a diaper bag left in the car by Blankenship. In total, $687 in merchandise was stolen from the store.

Deputies said both women changed their stories several times before admitting to taking the garments, according to a police report. Both suspects were charged with retail grand theft.

Deas said what the women will face in a court of law is nothing compared to the court of public and family opinion.

"The embarrassing fact is you're not going to make parent of the year because you just used your kids to commit a crime," Deas said.

Blankenship and Metcalf were arrested and taken to the Clay County Jail, where Metcalf -- a registered convicted felon -- is being held on $5,000, and Blankenship is being held on $750 bond.

The children involved were turned over to their father before the women were taken to jail.