West Palm Beach Man Arrested For Leaving Daughter In Hot SUV

A West Palm Beach father is charged with leaving his 3-year old daughter in a hot vehicle while he went shopping at Sam's Club along 45th Street.

Police spokesman Mike Jachles says 42-year old Raul Rielo-Fernandez left the girl in his SUV with the engine off for over 30 minutes, with the inside temperature rising to 117 degrees.

He says she's alive today thanks to some shoppers who spotted the child.

“Good Samaritans apparently opened the car. It was unlocked and took the child out of the car seat. When they found the girl, she was profusely sweating. She was red, flushed and crying.”

Jachles says that when the man came out of the store, he noticed the commotion at his vehicle and apparently realized he had left his child in the vehicle.

“Certainly, it could’ve been deadly for that child.”

Vehicles can heat up quickly, with temperatures rising 20 degrees in as little as 10 minutes, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. 29 children died from vehicular heatstroke nationwide, last year.

Police hope this case serves as a reminder to slow down and remember who is with you, especially little ones who can’t fend for themselves.