A woman from Foster is facing several charges after police found a baby left unattended inside a hot vehicle. The incident occurred at the Lincoln Mall on Sunday at approximately 5 p.m. Lincoln police received a call from a concerned citizen who reported seeing a baby left inside a car.
Upon arriving at the scene, officers were directed to an older red Ford Ranger parked near the Asia Grille and Job Lot. The vehicle’s windows were all rolled up, except for the passenger front-side window, which was slightly cracked. The car was not running, and the doors were locked. Inside, police discovered a baby, under a year old, seated in a rear-facing car seat in the front passenger seat. The infant appeared flushed and sweaty, indicating signs of distress.
Concerned for the baby’s safety, police made the decision to break through a window and safely remove the infant from the hot car. The interior temperature of the vehicle was measured at 84 degrees, posing a serious risk to the child’s health. The infant was then placed in a police cruiser with air conditioning until rescue personnel arrived on the scene.
Shortly after rescuing the baby, a woman identified as 55-year-old Lorrie Carter approached officers carrying several brown paper bags. Carter admitted to police that she had left the baby in the car while she went to get food from Asia Grille and shopped at Job Lot. She claimed to have been gone for approximately 20 minutes and explained that she usually leaves the car running but was unable to find her spare key on this occasion. Carter also stated that she believed leaving the window cracked was sufficient and did not see any issue with her actions.
As a result of her negligence, Carter was taken into police custody and charged with cruelty or neglect of a child. The 7-month-old infant was transported to Hasbro Children’s Hospital for evaluation and treatment. The Department of Children, Youth, and Families was notified of the incident to ensure the child’s safety and well-being.
Local residents expressed shock and disbelief upon hearing about the incident. One resident commented, „It’s too hot out there, it’s too hot for me even getting into a closed car. What are they thinking?“ The community’s reaction highlights the severity of leaving a child unattended in a hot vehicle and the importance of raising awareness about the dangers of such actions.
Carter is scheduled to appear in court on August 19 to face the charges brought against her. The case serves as a reminder of the critical need for responsible and attentive caregiving when it comes to the safety of children. NBC 10’s Molly Levine contributed to this report, shedding light on the consequences of neglectful behavior that can have serious and potentially life-threatening outcomes.