Mom leaves child in car, police called in
Fri Jul 18, 2008

SCUGOG -- Police are considering laying charges against the mother of an infant found inside a van in sweltering summer weather Thursday in Port Perry.

The Children's Aid Society has also been contacted about the incident, according to Durham police, who were called when passersby heard the child crying inside the parked vehicle. Citizens opened the doors of the unlocked van to find an 11-month-old child under a blanket inside, police said.

During the intervention the child's 36-year-old mother, who had been inside a store with two other small children for more than 10 minutes, returned to the vehicle, police said. Paramedics took the child to hospital where she was examined and determined not to have sustained injuries.

Environment Canada reported the temperature Thursday as 30 degrees with high humidity. A police investigation continues and charges are possible.

Following the incident police issued a reminder to parents that it's extremely dangerous to leave children in cars on summer days, as the temperature inside can climb to extreme levels in minutes.