A couple from Indianapolis has been arrested and charged with child neglect by Lawrence police for leaving their children in a car that was dangerously hot.
As central Indiana braces for an impending heat wave, police have emphasized the significance of a recent case as a warning to all parents.
On Monday night, a man and woman parked their Ford SUV at a Walmart on Pendleton Pike and left their two young children alone inside the vehicle for over 40 minutes while they went inside the store. Allegedly, the children were unattended during this time.
According to the Lawrence police, a concerned citizen spotted the children inside the SUV, which was not running, and immediately dialed 911.
Upon discovery, one of the two children was observed to be sweating profusely, while the other appeared to be in a dazed state. The police were able to observe these physical symptoms upon their arrival.
DCS took custody of both children after Mirianne Pierre and Watson Joseph were arrested and charged with two counts of neglect of a dependent. The suspects were booked into Marion County jail.
Based on court records, the Lawrence police have estimated that the temperature inside the suspect’s SUV was likely to be over 125 degrees when the two children were found.
Sgt. Anthony Patterson of IMPD expressed his concern about leaving children unattended, especially during hot weather. He emphasized that the temperature inside a car rises quickly once the engine is turned off.
While IMPD didn’t investigate this particular case, they issued a timely reminder for parents to never leave their children or pets in an unattended car, especially with high temperatures predicted for central Indiana in the coming days. It only takes a few minutes for a car to become dangerously hot, posing a grave risk to those left inside.
Patterson explained that the temperatures inside a closed car can rise rapidly. Even if it feels like only a few minutes to us, it can be an unbearable eternity for a person or child trapped inside. The heat can become unbearable within a short time frame, emphasizing the urgency of the situation.
Indiana State Police in Bloomington issued a warning on their Facebook page on Tuesday that closely resembles the aforementioned one.
As we enter the hot summer months, the Indiana State Police Bloomington District urges parents and pet owners to be acutely aware of the perilous consequences of leaving a child or pet unattended in a hot vehicle. It cannot be emphasized enough that even with the windows cracked, it is never safe to leave a child or pet alone in a vehicle. It is highly recommended to make a habit of checking the entire vehicle before walking away to ensure that no one is left behind. Let’s all take responsibility and do our part to keep our loved ones safe from the heat.
Currently, both suspects are in custody at the Marion County jail awaiting the filing of formal charges.