Two US women who stole from a 9-year-old girl on her birthday were made to stand outside court wearing signs admitting their crime.

Evelyn Border, 56, and daughter Tina Griekspoor, 35, took the child's gift card after she put it down on a shelf while shopping in Walmart.

The signs read: "I stole from a 9 year old on her birthday! Don't steal or this could happen to you!"

Bedford County District Attorney Bill Higgins says he will ask for probation instead of jail when the women plead guilty to the theft.

The girl's mother said she would drive by the courthouse to show her daughter what happens when you break the law.