Children left in hot car at Mawson

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ACT Policing is warning people they face serious consequences if they leave children unattended inside a vehicle, after reports that a baby and a child were left unattended in a car on Saturday (21 December, 2019).

About 11.30am a member of the public called police to report an infant wrapped in a blanket and a child, believed to be about five years old, locked in a car, in the outdoor car park at the Mawson shops.

It is believed the children were left unattended in the vehicle for 10-15 minutes, with the engine off, and one window left slightly ajar.

The person responsible for the children returned to the vehicle and left the area before police arrived.

At the time of the incident, it is estimated the outside temperature was 34 degrees, with temperatures inside the vehicle as high as 64 degrees, placing the children at extreme risk.

While an investigation into this incident is underway, police are urging the person responsible for placing both children at risk to present themselves at a police station.

If you see a child trapped in a hot vehicle, please call Triple Zero (000) for immediate assistance from ACT Policing and ACT Ambulance.

If you see an animal trapped in a vehicle, in the first instance call the RSPCA on 1300 777 221 or call 131 444 for police assistance.

Media enquiries

Police Media — (02) 5126 9070, act-police-media@afp.gov.au

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