Police investigate after toddler located locked in car – Hurstville

Sunday, 16 August 2015 02:47:47 AM

Police are investigating after a toddler was located locked in a car at Hurstville yesterday afternoon.

Just after 3pm (Saturday 15 August 2015), emergency services were called to a shopping centre on the corner of Cross Street and Park Road, after reports a child was locked in a car.

Officers from St George Local Area Command attended the location and found a child in a black Honda Jazz.

The girl, aged two, was not moving so police broke a window of the Honda.

The child was treated by Ambulance Paramedics before being taken to St George Hospital, reportedly suffering from minor dehydration.

About 4.30pm, the same day, a 36-year-old man attended Hurstville Police Station. He was interviewed and released pending further inquiries.

Following the investigation, police will serve the man with a future service court attendance notice (FSCAN) for leaving children and young persons unsupervised in a motor vehicle.

About 5pm, the child was released from hospital into the care of her mother.

This incident has prompted police to encourage parents and carers to be aware of the risks associated with leaving children alone in the car:
– There is a risk of being abducted if they are left alone in a car, even if the car is locked.
– On a typical summer day, the temperature inside a car (even with the windows rolled down a little) can quickly rise above 50 to 60 degrees.
– Even on a relatively mild day, the temperature inside a car can get above 40 degrees.
– At those temperatures, children are at great risk for heat stroke, which can lead to a high fever, dehydration, seizures, stroke and death.
– Anyone who sees a child left unattended in a vehicle is urged to contact 000 and help make sure the child gets out as soon as possible.

Police are urging anyone with information about children locked in vehicles to immediately call Triple Zero (000). We remind people they should not report crime information via our Facebook and Twitter pages.

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