A Texas mother is being hailed as a hero after she reportedly saved three young children from a hot car in San Antonio on June 28. The unidentified woman filmed Angela Garza–Amador's car and the moment she discovered a small boy, a girl, and newborn inside the car. With the help of other witnesses, the adults saved the children from the heat before tragedy occurred.
The woman called police, who arrived at the shopping center a short time later. Garza-Amador reportedly came out of a nearby store as police arrived, appearing confused and distraught. She was arrested and charged with three counts of child endangerment.
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The children were reportedly very hot when the woman opened the car door.
The woman who rescued the children told KENS 5 she saw a 4-year-old boy in the car and knew something was wrong. She opened the front door of the vehicle and said the little boy was reportedly sweating, crying, and "gasping for air." She ran into a store for help.
Several other adults came out to help.
The woman began filming, and the adults quickly discovered a 2-year-old girl and a newborn in the car. The woman told KENS 5 that Garza-Amador came out of the store a short time later.
"She had the keys with her, she said the car was on, she said, 'I left it on with my esposo, my esposo,'" the woman explained. "Esposo" is "husband" in Spanish.
The mother allegedly lost track of time.
In a preliminary report, police noted that Garza-Amador admitted to shopping without her children, according to CNN.
"The mother of the children (suspect) was at the scene and stated she went inside a store and did not realize how long she was gone," the department shared in the report. "Based on information gathered, the children were in the car for approximately 50 minutes."
The children were taken to an area hospital and expected to be released the same day, CNN reported.
Police contacted the Department of Family and Protective Services.
A representative from DFPS told CNN it had been notified of the incident but gave few details. The department was not investigating the family at the time of Garza-Amador's arrest.
"While details of investigations are confidential according to law, I can confirm there was no open case regarding this family when the report of this incident came in. The children were not placed in CPS care and were placed in the care of family," the representative said.
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Police have warned residents about high temperatures.
In a video posted to the San Antonio Police Department's Instagram page, an officer pointed out that if it is 97.7 degrees outside, the temperature inside a vehicle is 114 degrees. Police reminded parents never to leave a child or pet in the car and to place items in the back seat as a reminder to check before walking away. Police say a car can heat 19 degrees in just 10 minutes.
The department also reminded people, "If you see a child or pet unattended in a car, call 911. "
