Child left alone in car while family members shopped in NY

SELDEN, NY -- A fire chief in Selden and other town employees are credited for rescuing a small child who was left alone in a car on Route 25.

Police say the chief was flagged down by a pedestrian outside of the TJ Maxx store and was told a child was left unattended in a car while two family members were inside of the store shopping.

A 4-year-old girl was sleeping in the backseat of the vehicle for approximately 15 minutes. The car was not running and the windows were open approximately half an inch. Other members of the Selden Fire Department responded and were able to unlock one of the doors. The child was transported to Stony Brook University Hospital for examination.

Chief Dave Panebianco attempted to unlock the vehicle through a slightly cracked window while two district employees, identified as Dave Carman and Eddie Russo, also tried to access the vehicle. Russo was eventually able to force his arm through and open the door.

The child's father Juan Pablo Aguilar was arrested at the scene and charged with endangering the welfare of a child.