HOWELL — A trip into Walmart that police said lasted less than a half-hour has led to a child endangerment charge against a Lakewood woman and a renewed warning about how quickly a vehicle can become dangerous for children.
Rivka Shapiro, 24, was charged with endangering the welfare of a child after authorities said four children were left inside a gray 2014 Toyota Camry in the Walmart parking lot on Route 9 on June 28.
Police said the children — Shapiro’s 6-month-old daughter, 1-year-old daughter and 3-year-old son, along with an 11-year-old girl she was supervising — were inside the car for about 24 minutes while Shapiro was in the store.
The car was running, but Howell police said the heater had been left on instead of the air conditioner. When an officer arrived at about 1:30 p.m., the children had beads of sweat on their skin, Howell Police Lt. John Barroqueiro told the Asbury Park Press.
Emergency medical services evaluated the children at the scene. Police said they were not injured.
The outside temperature was about 80 degrees at the time, a number that may not sound extreme. But public safety officials have long warned that parked vehicles can heat up rapidly, even on mild summer days. According to sources including the National Weather Service, the inside of a car can climb well above 100 degrees within 30 minutes when the outside temperature is around 80 degrees.
The Howell incident is a reminder that leaving children unattended in a vehicle, even briefly, can create serious risks. A running car does not guarantee safety if the climate controls are not working properly, are set incorrectly or if the vehicle shuts off.
Authorities said Shapiro was issued a summons to appear in court. Court records did not list an attorney for her. The charge carries a possible prison term of up to five years, although there is generally a presumption against incarceration, especially for first-time offenders.
Police and child safety advocates urge parents and caregivers to take children with them whenever leaving a vehicle. They also encourage bystanders who see children alone in a car and appear to be in distress to call 911 immediately.
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