Three young children were discovered inside a parked vehicle at the Redford Plaza shopping center yesterday during a heat wave, and two women were arrested on suspicion of child neglect. Police had the children taken to Garden City Hospital for treatment for heat exposure; they were stabilized and later released to family members while Child Protective Services investigates. The scare has Redford Township police repeating a familiar warning about how fast a parked car can turn dangerous in hot weather.
At Redford Plaza
According to FOX 2 Detroit, a witness called 911 after spotting three children inside a vehicle at the Redford Plaza near Telegraph and W. Chicago. When officers arrived, they found the car parked with the engine off and the windows only partially open. Police then located two mothers shopping in the plaza; both were taken into custody on suspicion of child neglect.
The children were transported to Garden City Hospital for treatment for heat exposure, FOX 2 Detroit reported. Hospital staff stabilized the children, who were later released to family members while Child Protective Services opened its own investigation into the incident.
How fast a car can heat up
Vehicles can heat up very quickly; interior temperatures can rise roughly 20 degrees in about 10 minutes, creating a life-threatening situation for young children, according to NHTSA. Since 1998, more than 1,000 children have died from vehicular heatstroke, averaging roughly 37 deaths per year, the National Safety Council notes.
Authorities say there is no safe amount of time to leave a child alone in a parked car and urge bystanders to call 911 immediately if they see a child unattended.
What happens next
Redford Township police said in a statement to FOX 2 Detroit that “Leaving young children in a vehicle unsupervised is never safe” and that investigators will present the case to the Wayne County Prosecutor's Office for a charging decision. The department also reminded caregivers that cracking a window or parking in the shade does not make it safe to leave a child alone.
Child Protective Services is conducting a parallel probe, police said.
Prevention reminders
Officials say a few simple habits can reduce the risk. Lock vehicle doors so children cannot climb in unnoticed, put a personal item such as a phone or bag in the back seat as a reminder, and ask caregivers or daycares to call if a child does not arrive as expected.
The National Safety Council offers resources and printable reminders to help make checking the back seat part of every routine. If you see a child alone in a car, authorities urge you to call 911 so emergency crews can respond immediately.
