A man has been arrested in Washington County after reportedly leaving two children, a toddler and an infant, unattended in a hot car for approximately 45 minutes. The incident occurred on Sunday at the Walmart on Trinity Point Drive in the South Strabane area.
The South Strabane Police Department responded to the scene, where they discovered a 9-month-old and a 3-year-old locked inside a vehicle with its windows closed and the engine turned off, as reported by WTAE. Authorities have noted that both children experienced medical emergencies and were subsequently transported to a hospital for treatment. The condition of the 3-year-old, who was unresponsive upon the officers' arrival, has not been updated.
The caretaker of the children at the time of the incident, Fritzson Charles, is facing serious charges, including endangering the welfare of a child, leaving a child unattended in a vehicle, and reckless endangerment. As CBS News reports, Charles is not the father of the kids but was entrusted with their care by their mother. His preliminary hearing is scheduled for July 22nd, and he remains in the Washington County Jail without bail.
