Washington Mother Arrested After Leaving Kids in Hot Car

Salem-News.com

(VANCOUVER, Wa.) - Several people called Vancouver, Washington Police Friday afternoon when a car with two boys inside was left parked in the direct sun.

Officers arrived at the Target Store on SE Mill Plain just before 1:00 PM, responding the the 911 calls advising of two small boys, ages 6 and 9, who were left alone in a vehicle.

Police determined that the children were left in the car for about 15-20 minutes with the vehicle's rear windows partially rolled down. The vehicle was parked where no shade was available.

Vancouver Fire and medics from American Medical Response were already on scene when police arrived. The boys were removed from the car, given liquids to drink as well as placed inside the ambulance to cool off.

The initial assessment was that the children were beginning to show symptoms of overheating. The official temperature outside was 96 degrees F. After several minutes, it was determined the children sustained no substantial medical issues.

Vancouver Police located the mother, who was later identified as 36 year old Christine Lemley of Vancouver, inside Target. After talking with Lemley, she was placed under arrest for Reckless Endangerment and transported to the Clark County Jail.

In Washington, Reckless Endangerment is a misdemeanor crime that carries a maximum punishment of up to one year in jail.

Oregon has similar laws; a parent's choice to leave their child in a hot car could result in a charge of Child Neglect in the second-degree, which is a misdemeanor punishable by up to one year in jail.

Salem Police Lt. Chuck Bennett says the incident in Vancouver is on the minds of cops and firefighters all over the Northwest, "Another thing people need to remember is that like children, pets in hot cars can't be left unattended either."

Bennett says they take it seriously and there are plenty of violations officers have seen over the years, "We've had to break out windows for both pets and children. On a 100 degree day, I wouldn't hesitate to let an officer do that."

The Vancouver Police Department and Salem Police would like to remind everyone it does not take very long for the interior of vehicles to heat up and create the potential for serious medical problems or even death. The public is encouraged to leave children at home or take them inside. They say there is no such thing as a "quick trip" when it is hot.