A Chinese mother in Idaho, the United States, was arrested by the police on Sunday for allegedly leaving her 2-year-old child alone in a hot car. This incident occurred outside a restaurant in Meridian, where a toddler was found alone in the car, crying and covered in sweat. Before the police arrived, restaurant staff managed to open the car door and rescue the child. The temperature inside the car was measured to be over 130 degrees Fahrenheit (approximately 54 degrees Celsius).
After being taken to the hospital, the child’s condition stabilized. The 35-year-old mother, Allie Qiu, was arrested on the spot and charged with felony injury to a child before being transferred to Ada County Jail, where she is currently being held without bail.
The exact time the child was left alone in the car has not been disclosed by the authorities yet.
The Meridian police department issued a warning that in hot weather, the temperature inside a car can skyrocket within minutes, emphasizing the importance of never leaving children or pets unattended in a vehicle.
On the same day, another tragic incident was reported in Albuquerque, New Mexico. A 1-year-old boy was found dead in a car belonging to a relative who was supposed to be caring for him.
According to the police, the child was entrusted to the relative by his parents in the morning. It was not until the afternoon when family members inquired about the child’s whereabouts that the relative realized he was missing.
Police arrived at the scene after receiving a report in the late afternoon. Family members attempted CPR on the child, but unfortunately, he did not survive.
Authorities mentioned that the child had been trapped in the car for at least “several hours.”
No one has been arrested so far, and the case is still under investigation.
At the time of the incident, the relative involved briefly left the scene before returning. The police stated that the family believed the relative fled momentarily out of shock but insisted that the individual is typically a “good person.”
According to data from the non-profit organization Kids and Car Safety, at least 3 children in the United States have died this year due to being left in hot cars. The organization highlights that nearly 40 children die each year in the U.S. as a result of such incidents.
(This article is based on ABC News reporting)