Palatine, IL – Two 3-year-old children were allegedly left unattended inside a parked car for nearly an hour in Palatine on a day when the heat index reached a sweltering 110 degrees, authorities said, prompting renewed warnings about child endangerment and hot weather safety.
According to the Cook County Sheriff’s Office, deputies responded to a call on the 1200 block of Woodbury Lane after receiving a report of possible child endangerment. Officers arrived to find the two toddlers allegedly alone in the vehicle. The children told police their mother had gone inside a nearby home.
The Palatine Fire Department evaluated the children at the scene and determined they were unharmed. The children were safely released to their grandmother. The mother was allegedly arrested on charges of child endangerment as well as an outstanding warrant, officials reported. No names have been released due to the involvement of minors.
Law enforcement officials are reminding the public never to leave children or pets inside vehicles unattended, particularly during periods of extreme heat. According to authorities, the temperature inside a car can rise rapidly and become deadly within minutes, especially when outside conditions reach a heat index of 110 degrees, as they did today.
Authorities also noted that all defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
This article was produced by a journalist and may include AI-assisted input. All content is reviewed for accuracy and fairness.
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