In Aventura, Florida, a man and woman were taken into custody on charges of child abuse. They allegedly left their 2-year-old child in a hot car while they went shopping at Target.
At approximately 11:15 a.m. on Saturday, law enforcement officials were called to the Target location situated at 21265 Biscayne Blvd. following a report from a concerned passerby who had spotted a young child alone inside a vehicle with the doors locked and windows tightly shut.
Police reported that the witness encouraged the child to unlock the door, and the child, despite being covered in vomit, was able to do so.
Upon arriving at the scene, law enforcement officials apprehended the child’s parents, Paola Palencia-Rodriguez, aged 24, and Melvin Alejandro Jaimes, aged 25.
As per the report of the arrest, the couple had left their child unattended in the car for half an hour. This incident occurred when the temperatures were in the low 90s, amidst a tropical storm and a tornado watch.
According to authorities, the child appeared to be perspiring, had a warm body temperature, and was crying, but remained conscious.
Medical responders assessed the child and determined that they were in good health. Subsequently, the child was placed in the custody of their grandmother.
The Florida Department of Children and Families is currently conducting an investigation.
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