A woman in West Virginia has been charged with
child neglect with injury and
shoplifting after leaving her 9-month-old baby in a hot car while she went into a Wal-Mart store and shoplifted.
According to police, Elizabeth Marie Lancaster, 23, allegedly left her baby in the car in 85-degree heat. Officers said they found the baby in the parking lot, crying, flushed, and sweating.
Police were waiting at Lancaster's car when she came out carrying two bags of stolen goods. She told the officers that she had only been inside for a few seconds, but police said the child was left alone in the car for at least 20 minutes.
Although the car was running and both windows were down, Dr. Lisa Noble of Weirton Medical Center said leaving a child in 85-degree heat is extremely dangerous for a child that small. Even 30 minutes left in a hot car can be deadly for a baby or small child.
The baby is expected to recover, but whether or not the baby will suffer any long-term damage or side effects is still unknown.
Lancaster currently remains in police custody pending a $30,000 bond. The baby is in the care of relatives.
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