Mother charged after leaving 7-month-old baby unattended in hot car in Oshawa

The mother of a seven-month-old has been charged after the baby girl was found unattended in a hot car in Oshawa over the weekend.

According to Durham Regional Police, on Sunday, July 7 just before 1 pm, police were called to the parking lot at the Delpark Homes Centre on Harmony Road in Oshawa after a woman heard a baby crying from inside a parked vehicle.

Luckily the door was unlocked and the woman was able to take the baby out and call 9-1-1.

Police said the baby was taken to a hospital to be examined, and after she was medically cleared she was turned over to her father.

Following the incident, police located the mother in a nearby park with her other small children.

A 32-year-old mother from Oshawa has since been charged with abandoning a child and criminal negligence.

She was released on a promise to appear, and her name is being withheld to protect the child’s identity.

This news comes after a 16-month-old infant died in May after being left in a hot car for several hours in BC.

See also

• Here’s what to do if you find a dog trapped in a hot car this summer
• Infant dies after being left in hot car in BC for several hours

According to the Canada Safety Council, a study funded by General Motors of Canada found the air temperature in a previously air-conditioned small car exposed to the sun on a 35°C day can exceed 50°C within 20 minutes.

And within 40 minutes, the temperature in the car can quickly soar to 65.5°C, resulting in deadly conditions for infants and small children because of their size.

In a closed environment, the body, especially a small body, can go into shock quickly, and circulation to vital organs can fail.

As we head into the hottest months of summer, the Canada Safety Council says parents need to be vigilant when transporting children, and always double check the backseat of the vehicle to ensure it is clear before parking and leaving the vehicle.

If you come across a child or an animal in distress in a hot vehicle, call 9-1-1 immediately.