Mom arrested, charged after leaving 4-year-old alone in hot car at Costco, Harris County Precinct 4 says
Authorities said they determined the child was left alone for about 30 minutes.
HARRIS COUNTY, Texas (KTRK) -- A mother was arrested and charged after a 4-year-old child was left alone in a hot vehicle at a Costco in northwest Harris County on Sunday, investigators said.
According to the Harris County Precinct 4 Constable's Office, deputies responded to the Costco located in the 26900 block of Northwest Freeway for a call about a child left alone inside a vehicle.
When deputies arrived, they discovered that a 4-year-old child had been left in a hot vehicle that was turned off and not running, authorities said, adding that concerned citizens quickly acted and removed the child from the vehicle.
Officials said that EMS responded to the scene and evaluated the child before cooling the child off. Investigators said they determined the child had been left alone for about 30 minutes inside the car.
Authorities said that a short time later, the child's mother, identified as Vannie Nguyen, returned to the car from the Costco. Nguyen was arrested and booked into the Harris County Jail, officials said, and was charged with child abandonment with intent to return.
“Temperatures inside a vehicle can rise dangerously fast, even within minutes," Pct. 4 Constable Mark Herman said. "Never leave children or pets unattended inside a vehicle."
