Unattended baby found in hot car in North Chattanooga parking lot
It happened Sunday inside the parking lot of 2 North Shore Shopping Center around 1:30 P.M.
Darlene Karst told News 12 she was in the process of walking toward Nooga Paws Pet Store when she heard an unusual sound coming from a parked car.
"I walked past a car and heard a baby cry," Karst said.
She told News 12 that after hearing the sound of a baby’s cry, she walked closer to the car and noticed an unattended infant in the back seat. According to Karst, the windows were only slightly rolled down and the air conditioner was not running.
According to the National Weather Service, outside temperature in Chattanooga that time of day was around 86-degrees with a heat index of 89. Karst said it was obviously warmer inside the car.
"I looked at it’s face to see if the baby was too hot. It look a little red," Karst said.
She didn’t have her cell phone to call 911 so she says she alerted several other shoppers.
"They came and looked. Sure enough one of them said you have the right to break the window. Well there was nothing to break the window with. I’m standing in a shocked state," Karst said.
Just as someone in the group began to call 911, the situation took an interesting twist.
"The dad came along and he said it was only 3-minutes folks. It was only 3-minutes," Karst told News 12.
After making that statement to people who were concerned about the welfare of the child, the man reportedly jumped in his car and sped away before police could arrive on scene. Karst told News 12 her only regret was not getting the man’s license plate number to give to police.
The incident that unfolded inside that parking lot came just one day after a North Georgia infant died after it was left in a hot car.
According to Walker County Investigators, 11-month old Jackson Taylor was left in his grandparents SUV for more than 2 hours. The infant died when temperatures inside the vehicle climbed higher than 100 degrees. His grandparents were in charge of watching the child but accidentally left him in a car seat while they attended church.
News 12 spoke to several parents in the 2 North Shore Shopping Center parking lot who were upset after hearing about both incidents.
"It’s frustrating but not only frustrating, it’s heart breaking," said Sue King.
"I just think it’s really irresponsible and it only takes a minute to get the child out and keep them safe," said Sam Adams.
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