Father Arrested After 15-Month-Old Girl Is Left In Car In Jersey City Mall Garage
JERSEY CITY, N.J. (CBSNewYork) -- A New Jersey father was under arrest late Tuesday after police say he left his 15-month-old daughter alone in a car while he went inside to shop.
As CBS2's Meg Baker reported, the car was unlocked and parked in the garage around noon at the Newport Centre Mall in Jersey City. The ignition was running, but police do not believe the heat was on.
Responding officers were with the baby for 11 minutes before the father returned to the vehicle at the mall. It is believed that she was left for more than 20 minutes, and police have not yet established why.
Shoppers who spoke to CBS2's Baker were horrified when they found out what happened.
"You shouldn't have children if not going to take care of them," one shopper said.
"You don't have a stroller or a car seat to bring child inside the mall, that doesn't make sense," said Georgiana of Jersey City.
Most agreed with the charges that were expected to be filed.
"That's kind of a case of neglect right there," said Damisi Adewumi. "I don't know how you just leave your kid and forget them."
Police late Tuesday told CBS2 the infant was doing fine, but was brought to Jersey City Medical Center to be checked out. They were still talking to the father to figure out what happened.
The Bayonne man, whose name has not been released, was to be charged with endangering the welfare of a child, police said.
