So far this year, 15 children around the country have died after being left in a car during hot weather. In all of 2013 the total was 44.
According to the Connecticut State Police, their investigations will determine what charge the person who left the child in the car will face on a case by case basis.
Should the child be left unsupervised inside the vehicle but their health is not at risk, the charge is likely to be misdemeanor. This was the case of the East Haven mom who was arrested for leaving her infant child and a toddler in a Target parking lot, and a Shelton mom who was also arrested for leaving her young three year old in the parking lot at Trader Joe. Both events happened this month.
However if the child then needs medical attention, the charge increase to risk of injury to a minor, and should the child die, the charge becomes one of murder.
Children should never be left in a locked car, nor should they have access to a vehicle or its trunk, especially when the weather is hot.
Drivers should keep their vehicles locked and never let children play inside them, and they should always check the vehicle before locking it and leaving it, in case a child is hiding.
