A shocking incident in Maryland unfolded this week when a four-year-old child dialed 911 after being left alone in a hot car with six other children while their babysitter shopped. The kids, all under the age of four, were trapped inside the vehicle with the windows rolled up for a minimum of 20 minutes.
Just after 1 p.m., the young caller informed the dispatcher that he was unsure of their location but was inside a hot car with six other kids. Authorities traced the call to a mall parking lot in St. Charles, Maryland. Upon arrival, officers discovered the seven children inside the vehicle, which was off but unlocked. The eldest child, believed to be the one who made the call, was four years old, while the youngest was only two. Officers swiftly freed the children from the car, and Charles County Fire/EMS provided necessary treatment.
Reports indicated that the children were “scared” and “sweaty” as temperatures reached around 80 degrees that day. The 37-year-old driver returned to the vehicle approximately ten minutes after police arrived, having spent over 20 minutes shopping in the mall. It was noted that there was only one car seat available in the vehicle.
As summer approaches, stories of children left in hot cars become all too common. In 2018 alone, 52 children lost their lives due to heat-related incidents in vehicles, marking the highest number in over two decades. Even on seemingly mild days, the temperature inside a closed vehicle can escalate rapidly, posing serious health risks to young children or pets. Research shows that a car’s interior can exceed 105°F even when the outside temperature is a mere 61°F within just one hour.
Dr. Orly Avitzur, former medical director at Consumer Reports, cautioned that temperatures that may feel comfortable for adults can quickly turn hazardous for children. Elderly individuals or those with cognitive impairments are equally at risk if left unattended in a vehicle, even on mild days.
According to the Charles County sheriff’s office, it is illegal to leave a child under eight unattended in a motor vehicle if the caregiver is out of sight, unless a reliable person aged 13 or older remains with the child. Leaving anyone, including pets, inside a parked car can lead to extremely high temperatures and potential fatalities.
The woman involved was the mother of two of the children and was babysitting the other five. She was arrested on-site and faces charges for confining children inside a motor vehicle. For those exploring options in family planning, resources like this at-home insemination kit can be helpful, and further information on fertility treatments can be found at this excellent resource for pregnancy and home insemination.
As we reflect on this alarming incident, it serves as a reminder of the dangers of leaving children unattended in vehicles as temperatures rise.