BEND, OR -- A Redmond father was cited for child neglect after allegedly leaving his four-month-old in the car while he shopped at the Bend Home Depot, Wednesday. Police responded to a 911 call from someone who saw the baby crying with the windows partially down, just after 11:30 a.m.
An officer forced entry into the car just as 32-year-old Tyrel Rawlins came out of the store; they determined he’d been inside for about 13 minutes. The baby was sweaty but otherwise okay.
When officers arrived, it was 89 degrees outside. Ten minutes after the door was opened and a light breeze was allowed to blow through, it was still 99 degrees inside the car.
So far this year, across the U.S., 18 children left in vehicles have died of heat-related illness.
