SerpApi.Org
An Uber Eats driver is facing child abuse charges after she allegedly left her 1-year-old son in a hot car for nearly 30 minutes while picking up an order. According to authorities, Ly Thien Pham went into a restaurant at approximately 3:30 p.m. on July 19 and forgot where her car was parked when she returned.
With the help of police, the 40-year-old mother’s vehicle was located, and the boy was rescued nearly 30 minutes later. “These are child abuse charges,” said Yolanda Fernandez, spokesperson for the St. Petersburg Police Department. “These are very serious charges, very serious for her to have to deal with this. Even though she claims that she didn’t mean to do it, that she thought she was just going to run in and out, pick up the food delivery and go,” according to WFLA.
Authorities Warn Families
A firefighter from St. Petersburg Fire Rescue said that a child’s temperature can rise three to five times faster than an adult’s. “And the inside temperature of a car can rise up to 20 degrees higher than the ambient temperature,” said Albert Madruga. The toddler was admitted to Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital for treatment. Hospital staff told 8 On Your Side that babies and toddlers are most vulnerable when it comes to heatstroke.
Pham turned off the engine, and the vehicle’s air conditioning was cut off. The boy was found sweating profusely due to the heat. “Children are especially vulnerable because of their small size. They get overwhelmed by the heat very quickly, and obviously younger children can’t let themselves out of the car,” said Dr. Joseph Perno, chief medical officer for Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital. “It’s a spectrum. So heat exhaustion starts with some confusion, lack of sweating, not peeing, that sort of stuff. But then it can go to total confusion, unconsciousness, seizures and death when the body just gets overwhelmed by that external heat,” Perno added.
Paramedics have warned families to always check the backseat of their cars and never leave children unattended inside. “Even if we’re thinking 1 minute, we’re going to run into the store to grab something really quick. Never. That should never be an excuse. You should never leave your child locked in a vehicle. Never leave your child behind. 1 minute can turn into a tragedy,” said Madruga.
Charges and Bond
Pham was held at the Pinellas County Jail, while her son was placed in the custody of his aunt. Pham posted a $10,000 bond on July 20 and was released from jail. Her next court date has not yet been set. She was also ordered not to contact the aunt regarding her son.
