Edmonton Police Service Southwest Division officers were informed by two citizens at 6:40 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 14, 2013, that a baby had been left alone in a Dodge Caravan, with the doors unlocked and one window completely rolled down.
Witnesses reported that the 59-year-old grandfather of the child returned to the vehicle approximately 45 minutes after the citizens had first discovered the child. The infant could have been accessible to anyone during that time. EMS responded and examined the 11-month-old boy, who was returned to the biological mother in good health.
The 59-year-old male was charged under the Criminal Code with abandon a child under the age of 10.
“This is the third incident in four days where an unsupervised child in a vehicle has been reported by concerned citizens,” said Sgt. Gary Willits of the Child at Risk Response Team. “In all three cases, each child was easily accessible by anyone passing by, leaving each child vulnerable to medical distress, anxiety, and crimes against children, just to name a few. We will continue to lay charges and continue to repeat the message – a guardian cannot use a vehicle as a babysitter – NEVER leave a child unsupervised.”