Published: September 02, 2008 11:28 pm            

NIAGARA FALLS: Parents charged after children left in hot car

A 6-week-old baby and two other children were hospitalized Tuesday evening after spending up to 30 minutes locked inside a hot vehicle, police said.

The parents of two of the children, Michael P. Daniels, 21, and Samantha J. Heller, 22, both of 2421 Willow Ave., were charged with endangering the welfare of a child.

Officers responded to the 2400 block of Willow Avenue shortly after 4 p.m. and found the children sitting in the back of a parked black Jeep with all of the windows rolled up. The 6-week-old and other two children, ages 9 and 2, were all “soaked with sweat,” according to the responding officer.

CAR ...

continued on from page 1a

Police estimated the temperature outside the vehicle was 82 degrees and much hotter inside.

The officer asked the 9-year-old to unlock the door, but said the three children appeared to be afraid and in distress. After several minutes, the oldest child finally agreed to unlock the door, allowing the officers to remove them from the vehicle.

Shortly afterward, Heller came out of the house and told officers she was only inside for a few minutes, saying the officer’s response was “ridiculous.” Daniels then came outside and said he wasn’t gone for more than 10 minutes.

According to a witness who called police, the children were alone in the locked car for close to 30 minutes. The 9-year-old told police they had been in the car “a long time” and that she had to remove a blanket covering the baby.

The children were taken by Rural Metro Ambulance to Niagara Falls Memorial Medical Center for treatment. Their conditions were unknown late Tuesday, but not considered life threatening.

Daniels was placed under arrest and Heller was issued a court appearance ticket.

        

• Click to discuss this story with other readers on our forums.