In a heart-stopping incident on Friday night, police rescued a baby who had been left alone in a locked car outside of the Hollywood Casino in Toledo, Ohio. The infant’s father, identified as 34-year-old Matthew Johnson, was inside the casino gambling while his child was left unattended in the vehicle.
Authorities were alerted to the situation around 9:30 PM when concerned bystanders noticed the baby crying and sweating in the backseat of the car. As temperatures reached over 90 degrees that evening, the situation was dire and required immediate action. Police quickly arrived on the scene and broke the car window to rescue the infant, who appeared to be in distress but fortunately did not suffer any serious injuries.
According to witnesses, Johnson had been inside the casino for several hours, seemingly oblivious to the well-being of his child. When confronted by officers, he claimed that he had only been inside for a short period of time and had left the baby in the car with the air conditioning on. However, surveillance footage revealed that the car had been parked in the same spot for at least three hours without any sign of Johnson returning to check on the child.
Johnson was subsequently arrested and charged with child endangerment. He is currently being held in custody pending a court appearance. The infant, whose age and identity have not been disclosed, was examined by paramedics at the scene and later released to the care of other family members.
This incident serves as a stark reminder of the dangers of leaving children unattended in vehicles, especially during hot weather. Authorities urge parents and caregivers to always take precautions and ensure the safety of their little ones before leaving them in a car, even for a short period of time. The quick actions of bystanders and law enforcement in this case likely saved the life of a vulnerable child, highlighting the importance of vigilance and responsibility when it comes to caring for young children.
