A woman will be charged after allegedly leaving her children in a hot vehicle for over an hour in Sydney’s south west today, NSW Police say.
About 12.45pm (Saturday 8 December 2018), a 36-year-old woman parked a Toyota Kluger in direct sunlight in a carpark on Viscount Place, Liverpool.
The woman left two boys, aged eight and five, inside the car while she went shopping.
About an hour later, the children were discovered by passers-by, who contacted police.
About 1.50pm, police from Liverpool Police Area Command attended as the woman returned to the vehicle.
The children were found to be dehydrated and were provided water. Ambulance Paramedics attended to assess the children.
The woman was spoken to at the scene and will be issued a Future Court Attendance Notice for leave child/young person in motor vehicle.
Her court date is yet to be determined.
As summer begins, the incident is a reminder of the dangers around leaving children and pets alone in cars:
- On a typical summer day, the temperature inside a car (even with the windows rolled down a little) can quickly rise above 50 to 60 degrees.
- Even on a relatively mild day, the temperature inside a car can get above 40 degrees.
- At those temperatures, children are at great risk for heat stroke, which can lead to a high fever, dehydration, seizures, stroke and death.
- Anyone who sees a child left unattended in a vehicle is urged to contact 000 and help make sure the child gets out as soon as possible.
- There is a heightened risk of being abducted if they are left alone in a car, even if the car is locked.
