SAN JOSE, Calif. (Reuters) - A California mother was arrested for allegedly locking her two young sons in the trunk of her car because she could not find day care, police said on Tuesday.

San Jose Police Department spokesman Rubens Dalaison said 30-year-old Rosemarie Randovan was arrested on Monday after one of her co-workers alerted authorities.

Dalaison said the man became concerned after Randovan gave him a ride to lunch in her car.

"They went in her car, and on the way he hears what sounds like a little kid moaning or some kind of noises in the back," Dalaison said. When asked if she heard the sound, Randovan "got a little nervous and started talking louder, and turned up the radio."

The police were eventually notified and spoke with her two sons, aged 5 and 7.

"They say, 'There are times when mom takes us to work and we get put in the trunk of the car,"' Dalaison said. "According to the kids, this is normal practice that has been happening for almost four months."

Randovan, who allegedly told police she resorted to putting her sons in the trunk because she had trouble finding day care, was arrested and booked into the Santa Clara County Jail on charges of child endangerment. She was due to be arraigned on Wednesday.

The children were placed with child protective services, Dalaison said.