Child dies after being left in hot car; mother faces charges
BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KBAK/KBFX) — On Sunday, June 29 a one-year-old child was found unresponsive after being left unattended in a vehicle for over two hours in the 10 block of South Real Road.
Authorities reported that the children's mother was inside a nearby medical spa during the time they were left in the car.
The temperature that afternoon ranged from 99 to 101 degrees Fahrenheit, and investigators noted that the interior of a vehicle can reach deadly temperatures in minutes.
The child was later pronounced dead at a local hospital.
The child's two-year-old sibling, who was also left in the vehicle, remains in stable condition and has been placed in protective custody.
The mother has been arrested and faces charges including child abuse and involuntary manslaughter.
The Bakersfield Police Department issued a reminder about the dangers of leaving children and pets unattended in vehicles, emphasizing that it can result in serious injury or death, even if the engine is running or the air conditioner is on.
They urged the public, "If you see a child or pet alone in a vehicle, call 911 immediately."