Leaving children unattended in a car is dangerous, especially because of the risk of heatstroke. Per the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, a child's body temperature can rise quickly, and keeping the windows down or parking in a shaded area does little to reduce the risk. While the majority of hot car deaths occur when a child is unintentionally left or trapped in a car, intentionally leaving children in a car is the third leading cause of hot car deaths.
A mom from Kearney, Nebraska, was recently arrested after allegedly leaving her baby in a hot vehicle. The baby is reportedly doing OK, but the mom has been charged with child abuse.
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The outside temperature was close to 90 degrees Fahrenheit.
The incident occurred in the afternoon on August 24, in Merrick County, Nebraska. At Merrick County Fairgrounds, where the mom's vehicle was parked, it was between 89 and 90 degrees Fahrenheit outside, according to the Merrick County Sheriff's Office.
Someone heard a baby crying.
A passerby discovered the baby after hearing someone crying. Concerned, the person started checking cars in the area in hopes of finding the baby. The 3-month-old baby was found in a pickup truck. The engine was off and the windows were left "only partially ajar," according to the sheriff's office.
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People nearby took care of the baby.
Once the baby was found, others in the area helped take care of the baby before law enforcement officers arrived and took the baby to the hospital for a wellness check.
Luckily, the baby "did not sustain injury as a result of this incident," per the sheriff's office. The sheriff's office credited those who got involved and took care of the baby with potentially preventing a tragic outcome.
"THANK YOU to all the citizens who offered assistance during this incident. Tragedy was most likely avoided thanks to their response and actions!" the sheriff's office shared on Facebook.
The baby's mom was found riding a horse inside a building.
The baby's mom was identified as Cara Dugan, 40, of Kearney, Nebraska. While her baby was left alone in a hot vehicle, she was reportedly inside a building riding a horse. On Saturday, August 24, when the incident occurred, the fairgrounds hosted a horse and tack auction, per the Kansas City Star.
The mom was arrested.
Dugan was arrested and charged with child abuse, per the sheriff's office. The baby is now under the care of the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services.
