In a troubling incident in San Antonio, Texas, a mother has been arrested for leaving her three young children locked in a car for nearly an hour while she went shopping. The woman, identified as Angela Garza–Amador, was taken into custody on June 28 and faces three counts of abandoning/endangering a child.
Children left in the sweltering heat
Garza–Amador left her children, aged 1-month-old, 2-year-old, and 4-year-old, in the car while temperatures outside ranged between 98 and 100°F (37°C). The situation was brought to light when concerned bystanders noticed the distressed kids and alerted the police. According to CNN, the children were trapped in the car for approximately 50 minutes.
Police intervention
The San Antonio Police Department responded swiftly to the call. In a preliminary report, the department stated, “The mother of the children was at the scene and stated she went inside a store and did not realize how long she was gone.” The report confirmed that the children had been in the car for nearly an hour. Garza–Amador was released on bail a day after her arrest, as the Bexar County Sheriff’s Office reported.
Viral video of the rescue
A video capturing the rescue of the children has gone viral on social media. The footage was taken by a woman who played a crucial role in the rescue. In an interview with KENS, she recounted the moment she noticed a young boy in the car next to her as she was walking towards a children’s store. Her “mother’s instinct” led her to look inside the car, where she discovered another child. She immediately asked store employees to call 911.
The rescuer then tried the car doors and found one unlocked. She quickly helped the children out of the vehicle, which would have reached an internal temperature of around 130°F. The children were subsequently taken to a hospital for treatment.
The San Antonio Police Department confirmed that Child Protective Services were notified about the incident, ensuring appropriate measures would be taken to safeguard the children’s well-being. This alarming event highlights the dangers of leaving children unattended in vehicles, especially during extreme weather conditions, and serves as a stark reminder of the importance of vigilance and community awareness.