The woman accused of leaving her kids alongside the interstate and driving away pleaded no contest to a charge of endangering Monday morning in Mentor Municipal Court.

Linda Palecek, 35, of Painesville was convicted and sentenced by Judge John Trebets.

Trebets fined her $250. He also sentenced her to 180 days in jail but suspended 175 of them. Palecek can also avoid the final five days in jail if she puts in five days of volunteer work.

Trebets also ordered Palecek to participate in a parenting program.

Finally, Palecek will be on probation for the next six months.

The charge against Palecek stems from an incident that occurred March 31, according to police.

Palecek was driving her 11- and 15-year-old daughters when she began arguing with the younger one, Mentor Police Lt. Ken Zbiegien said at the time of Palecek's arraignment. The argument was, in part, because Palecek was insulting the girlfriend of the children's father, Zbiegien added.

The younger girl told Palecek wanted to be with her father instead of her.

Ultimately, Palecek pulled over on the westbound lanes of State Route 2, just west of the Route 306 exit.

She and the 11-year-old tussled until the older daughter intervened, Zbiegien said. At this point, the daughters walked away from Palecek's car.

Palecek shouted for the kids to come back to the car. When they did not, she drove away, Zbiegien said.

The kids were picked up about 10 minutes later by their father.