SerpApi.Org
A mother in Florida stands accused of leaving her baby in a dangerously hot car for half an hour while collecting an Uber Eats order. The woman is currently out on bond after police said she left her 1-year-old in the car alone.
40-year-old Ly Thien Pham has been charged with child abuse after she allegedly left her son in her car as she worked a shift as a food delivery driver for the online food ordering service.
Pham had brought her son along with her to pick up an order at a restaurant in St. Petersburg, Florida, at 3:30 p.m. on Sunday, an arrest affidavit obtained by local NBC affiliate WFLA reported.
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According to police, Pham parked her car near the restaurant and left her little boy in the backseat. Additionally, CBS affiliate WTSP reported that she turned on the hazard lights and turned off the engine, leaving her son without any air conditioning.
Upon leaving the restaurant, Pham claimed she had forgotten where she had parked, meaning the boy was left in the car for a longer period.
Pham became lost after picking up the food order and ended up in the downtown neighborhood searching for her vehicle, the St. Petersburg Police Department said.
About 30 minutes after she left her young son alone, she eventually found her car with the help of the police. According to the officers, the little boy was sweating excessively once they reached him.
The baby boy was taken to Johns Hopkins All Children's Hospital for treatment while Pham was escorted to the Pinellas County Jail. The son has since been put in the custody of his aunt.
According to medical professionals, children are at higher risk of heat-related illness because their smaller bodies mean they can be affected by rising temperatures more quickly than adults.
St. Petersburg Fire Rescue officials have taken the opportunity to remind parents and caregivers that children should never be left alone in vehicles, even for short periods. The firefighters recommend leaving a personal item in the back seat of the car, such as a phone or bag, as a reminder to check before leaving the vehicle.
Online court records show that on Monday, Pham posted a $10,000 bond and was released from jail. She has been ordered not to contact the boy's aunt regarding her son.
