Mother faces charges for leaving child in hot car 'for several hours' during heat wave

HYATTSVILLE, Md. (WJLA) — A mother is facing charges after authorities said she left her child alone in a hot car Friday morning in Maryland as the region is under an excessive heat warning.

The Hyattsville Police Department said a Good Samaritan called to report that a child was left alone in a car.

Crews said they rushed to the scene and found a 5-year-old girl locked in a car as temperatures were rising.

The forecast daytime highs are near 100 degrees with feels-like readings ranging from 102 to 110.

Police said a window was partially down and officers were able to reach in to unlock a door and rescue the girl.

Police said they "learned the child had been inside the car for several hours while her mother was visiting at a home nearby."

The 29-year-old mother from Glen Burnie is set to be criminally charged with neglect of a minor, unattended child left confined in a vehicle and reckless endangerment.

"It’s never OK to leave a young child unattended but it is particularly dangerous to do so in a vehicle when there is a heat advisory. Even with a window partially down, temperatures rise quickly and can become deadly. Children, dependent adults and even pets should simply never be left alone in a vehicle during extreme temperatures. We’re heartened that someone saw something and said something and are thankful for a community that looks out for each other!," the agency stated.

Police said they contacted Child Protective Services, per Maryland law, to investigate and determine if the family needs other services.

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