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Heroines in Heidelberg: Passers-by save toddler from hot car!
In Heidelberg, a two-year-old child was rescued from an overheating car while the mother returned. Find out more about this incident.
Heroines in Heidelberg: Passers-by save toddler from hot car!
A shocking incident occurred on June 14, 2025 in Heidelberg-Wieblingen when a 24-year-old rescued an almost two-year-old toddler from an overheating car. At around 6:25 p.m., the passer-by noticed a black Mini Cooper parked in the blazing sun at over 30 degrees. Inside, the toddler was in the back seat with the windows closed. Despite an open roof window, the exchange of air was severely restricted due to a sun protection grille.
The 24-year-old acted quickly and spoke to another passer-by. Together they removed the sunscreen to free the child and took him to a shady place where they gave him water. The child's mother returned approximately 21 minutes later, at 6:46 p.m., and showed little insight into the dangerous situation her child was in. The mother is now facing legal consequences due to suspected breach of duty of care.
The dangers of overheating cars
This incident is by no means an isolated incident and sheds a worrying light on the dangers posed by heat stress in vehicles. In the summer months, the number of reports of children suffering heat stroke or even dying in overheated cars increases. When the outside temperature is 30 degrees, the interior of a vehicle can heat up to 60 degrees, which is life-threatening for small children. A tragic incident in Hesse in which an 18-month-old child died highlights the risk associated with leaving children in the car.
The police have asked the passers-by who helped with the rescue to report to the Heidelberg-Süd police station. Your courageous actions could save the life of another child in similar situations. It is crucial for parents to never leave children alone in the car. If a child is locked up, the emergency number 112 should be contacted immediately.
Legal aspects and prevention
Parents who leave their children in overheated cars risk not only the health of their offspring, but also criminal consequences. The actions could be considered assault or even child abuse. In acute danger situations, Section 228 of the German Civil Code (BGB) allows damaging someone else's property in order to help third parties. This would also include breaking a car window if there is no other way to free the child.
The warnings are clear: leaving windows open a crack has little influence on the heat generated in the vehicle. It is advisable to ventilate the car well before setting off and to choose shady parking spaces. The use of air conditioning should also be considered; a temperature between 22 and 25 degrees is optimal.
As part of society, it is up to us to be vigilant and intervene when we see children in danger. Only together can we ensure that such incidents do not become a habit.
Heidelberg24 and Hello parents report on the frightening dangers and how we can all take responsibility.