HOUSTON — Leaving a child alone in a hot car can be deadly and could also cost you your freedom.
In recent days, two women have been accused of leaving their children unattended in hot cars in the Houston area. They were both charged with child endangerment.
Kennison McGrew allegedly left her 2-year-old and 9-month-old sons in a car outside of a Target in west Houston.
A woman who saw the children called for help and Precinct 5 deputies responded. They said the vehicle wasn't running, the windows were rolled up and the doors were locked. A deputy used a window-breaking tool to get inside.
They said both children were "profusely sweating, lethargic and their skin was hot to the touch" but they were conscious and breathing. They were treated by EMTs at the scene.
A surveillance video showed McGrew exiting her vehicle at approximately 3:30 p.m., according to court documents. They said she didn't come back out of Target until approximately 4:20 p.m.
It was 98 degrees at the time and investigators said a "hot car calculator" showed it would have been 136.9 degrees inside the vehicle after 40 minutes when the deputies broke the window.
According to court documents, McGrew initially claimed she left the engine running and then said the children were asleep and she forgot they were in the backseat.
In the second case, Diana Obiyo is accused of leaving a 9-year-old who was undergoing chemotherapy treatment in a hot car at a Walmart on South Post Oak. According to Houston police, a witness called them saying that the child was screaming and crying.
Emergency personnel said that if you encounter a similar situation: "You just want to get that child cooled off, and specifically, if you have any concern for that child, then you need to activate emergency services," Schulz said.
Both women were released on bond after they were arrested.
Under Texas' good Samaritan law, in these instances, it would have been legal for people in good faith to break the windows to help the children. They would not be held liable for the damage.
The incidents prompted medical experts to remind people not to leave kids in a car alone, especially in extremely hot temperatures.
"It's very, very dangerous," Houston Fire Department Assistant Medical Director Dr. Kevin Schulz said. "A child left in a car, even for a short period of time, is at very, very high risk of heat stroke and even death."