Baby left in sweltering car

A baby was left inside a locked vehicle for almost an hour on Monday.

On a day of high temperatures, the child was swaddled in clothing with no windows open, and local residents attempted to intervene.

However, they were held back by uncertainty at the consequences of their actions.

Explaining the situation, one resident said he was unsure of his right to break the window and remove the child, left inside the vehicle for about 45 minutes.

“The child was screaming and I considered breaking the window.”

When attempts to gain the assistance of security at the shopping centre and the SAPS failed, a small cluster of residents assembled and had to await the return of the parents.

Fortunately, the baby was not harmed.

“The father said he was sorry but had a bad attitude, as if he was enjoying the attention.”

Farieda Mia from Child Welfare said the case was child abuse, calling the survival of the baby a ‘disaster averted’.

“Especially in this heat, so much could have gone wrong. The child might have dehydrated, and considering the state of crime, the vehicle could have been hijacked with the baby inside.”

Providing insight, Mrs Mia said such matters should be reported to the SAPS, in particular the Family Violence Child Protection and Sexual Offences Unit (FCS), or Protection Services.

She said breaking a vehicle window was not advised.

“Law indicates you can be counter-charged; there are many cases where self-defence was turned around. It is not suggested unless the baby or child is in immediate distress.”

SAPS cluster spokesman, Shooz Magudulela was contacted for clarity on the rights of residents faced with the same situation.

At the time of print, he had not responded.

Earlier this year, paramedics were instructed by SAPS to smash a car window and remove two children from a vehicle at a major shopping hub.

Both children had suffered moderate heat exhaustion.

According to the national media report, parents could be charged with child negligence in accordance with the Child Protection Act.

How long could you endure sitting in a hot, locked car?