A Norman child remains in critical condition in a Little Rock hospital this week after spending an undetermined amount of time locked in the trunk of a car.

Jeffery Stauffnecker, 7, was found at 3 p.m. on July 5 by his sister, Crystal, locked in the trunk of a 1998 Pontiac GrandAm at his mother’s home on Water Town Road in Norman.

Crystal Stauffnecker, 19, of Mount Ida had gone to her mother’s home after working a shift at the Montgomery County Nursing Home. She said she found the house unlocked, which she said was unusual, and found her mother, Charlotte Stauffnecker, 40, asleep.

After inquiry about the boy’s whereabout, the sister began searching the yard area. She stated she heard the sound of panting coming from the car’s trunk and went to get the car’s keys to unlock the trunk where she found the child.

The mother and daughter rushed the child inside and submerged him in a cold bath before calling 911 for assistance. First responders arrived at the scene and gave the child oxygen. Southwest EMS personnel then transported Jeffery to St. Joseph’s Hospital in Hot Springs. He was later transported to Arkansas Children’s Hospital in Little Rock.

Montgomery County Chief Deputy Sheriff Gary Hogue said Monday morning that the boy was in critical condition and that doctors were uncertain whether he would recover.