VICTORVILLE – No arrest was made after a mother left her two young children locked in a vehicle as she made a trip into a Victorville Walmart on Friday afternoon. At around 12:50 p.m. the reporting party called and indicated that two children, one infant and the other approximately 6-years-old were locked inside a vehicle during the 90-degree day. The reporting party attempted to convince the older child to open the door, but he appeared scared to do so.
The mother arrived at the vehicle shortly after and indicated that her vehicle has a feature that allows the vehicle to remain running without the keys in the ignition and when the doors are locked. When the children were found in the vehicle by the reporting party, the vehicle was shut off.
Deputies from the Victorville Station arrived at the scene within minutes of the call. The mother told authorities that the vehicle must have somehow shut off on its own. “The mother was not arrested, but was counseled by the deputy and advised of the laws re; juveniles in an unattended vehicle,” said San Bernardino County Sheriff’s spokeswoman Cindy Bachman in an email to 24/7 Headline News.
There is no information available as to how long the children remained in the car prior to being discovered by the reporting party. Bachman said that the children were not distressed or injured as a result of the incident.
Children, the elderly, or even pets should never be left inside of a vehicle, especially in hot temperatures. During a 90-degree day, interior vehicle temperatures can reach 120 degrees which can cause dehydration, heat exhaustion, heat stroke, or even death. Children under 12-years-old should always be accompanied by a person 12 or older while inside of the vehicle per California State law. If you see a child under 12-years-old in a vehicle or a pet left inside a vehicle call 9-1-1 to report the incident.
