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Mother Arrested After 4-Year-Old Left Alone in Hot Car at Costco

Bystander removal and EMS cooling of the child preceded the mother's arrest on a child-abandonment charge.

Overview

  • Harris County Precinct 4 deputies responded to a call at a Costco in northwest Harris County and found that concerned citizens had already removed a 4-year-old from a hot, turned-off vehicle.
  • Investigators say the child had been left alone inside the car for about 30 minutes before the mother returned to the vehicle and was taken into custody.
  • The child's mother, identified as Vannie Nguyen, was arrested, booked into Harris County Jail and charged with child abandonment with intent to return.
  • Emergency Medical Services evaluated the child at the scene and cooled the child before releasing them from immediate medical care.
  • Precinct 4 officials warned that vehicle interiors can heat up dangerously fast and used the case to urge the public never to leave children or pets unattended in cars.