Father leaves toddler alone in the hot car - police

The dangers of leaving children alone in the car

Hagen - A worrying incident occurred on Monday evening, August 12, 2024, in the south of Hagen and highlights an important social problem: leaving children alone in vehicles. A 33-year-old father left his three-year-old son in a closed car during his visit to a prostitute. The vehicle was parked in the sun at high temperatures, and the boy was trapped in a child seat in the back seat.

important knowledge about the situation

The incident occurred around 8:00 p.m. when a passerby, became aware of the child's sweating, alerted the police. A few minutes later, at 8:45 p.m., the boy opened the door from the inside after requesting and was supplied with water. The medical examination by the emergency services showed an increased body temperature and initial signs of dehydration. The child was then taken to hospital for inpatient treatment.

parental responsibility and legal consequences

The reaction of the child's biological mother who arrived in the hospital was strongly shaped by incomprehension. She could not understand the behavior of her fiance and emphasized that she would not have believed that such an action. The father, who arrived at the scene at 9:40 p.m., said that he only wanted to visit a friend briefly to borrow money. However, the police investigations showed that he had already parked his car at 8:15 p.m. to see the prostitute, which underlines the severity of his deed.

The role of the police and the youth welfare office

The police filed a complaint against the father for violating the duty of care and educational and negligent bodily harm. The youth welfare office was also informed to ensure the child's long -term security. These measures underline the reclassification of the incident as a serious violation of parent duties that endanger child security.

an urgent warning for the community

The Hagen police have pointed out in this context that children and animals must never be left alone in cars. Even at moderate temperatures, a parked car - especially in the sun - can quickly become a life -threatening trap. The provision of concise behavioral information for passers -by in such situations is of immense importance. In dangerous cases, where a child or an animal is presumably alone in the car, bystanders should act immediately: Check whether the child or animal affected is appealing, get help and, if necessary, alert the emergency services.

social responsibility

This incident serves as an urgent memory of the responsibility that adults bear for the particularly protective members of our society - the children. Education and awareness of the risks of leaving children in the car can be crucial to avoid similar painful stories in the future