Elderly Woman Arrested for Leaving Grandchild in Hot Car at Grocery Store!
A grandmother in Volusia County, Florida, has been arrested and charged with neglect of a child causing bodily harm after allegedly leaving her 2-year-old grandchild unattended in a sweltering car. At the same time, she shopped at a local Publix supermarket.
The incident unfolded at Publix on Roscommon Drive in Ormond Beach. Store managers became aware of the situation around 3 p.m. on a scorching Tuesday afternoon.
According to reports from the Volusia County Sheriff’s Office, the child was discovered alone inside the parked car, which was exposed to direct sunlight without running and with only partially cracked windows.
Concerned by the child’s condition, described as lethargic due to the intense heat, a store manager intervened promptly. Using the manager’s access, the car was unlocked, and the toddler was brought inside the store to cool down and receive immediate attention.
Upon realizing the child’s absence, Elena Grady, 63, reportedly returned to the store, where she took custody of her grandchild. Law enforcement was swiftly notified, and deputies located Grady shortly after that.
Despite the potentially dangerous conditions inside the vehicle, which can elevate temperatures to life-threatening levels within minutes, the child was found to be in stable health upon examination.
In response to the incident, the Volusia County Sheriff’s Office issued a social media reminder about the rapid escalation of temperatures inside parked cars during hot weather. They emphasized the critical importance of never leaving children, pets, or vulnerable individuals unattended inside vehicles, even for brief periods.
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Grady was booked into the Volusia County Branch Jail and later released after posting a $3,000 bond. The circumstances surrounding the incident serve as a poignant reminder of the risks associated with leaving children unattended in vehicles and the legal consequences that can follow.