A Pennsylvania Christian singer-songwriter has been charged with a felony for allegedly “simply forgetting” his newborn son in a 110-degree car while shopping, police said.
On July 5, a passerby in Quakertown, Pennsylvania, discovered a 2-month-old baby boy burned alive inside a car that police described as an “oven,” according to authorities.
The man opened the unlocked car door, carried the baby to an air-conditioned storefront, and called 911. He and two other well-wishers waited while officers rushed the baby to the hospital, where police say the baby was not seriously injured thanks to the quick rescue.
Authorities say the baby had been sitting in the car for more than 30 minutes in 90-degree weather.
The car’s windows were slightly open, but the temperature inside was a blistering 110 degrees. “If it hadn’t been for a resident who called 911 and rescued the baby from the vehicle, this could have been fatal,” Quakertown Police Chief Scott McElrea said.
Police found the baby’s mother, 33-year-old Janelle Loveless, shopping at a nearby store. When questioned, Loveless told officers she “just forgot” her son was in the car, authorities said.
Loveless is currently facing felony charges of recklessly endangering a child. She is also under investigation by the Pennsylvania Department of Child Services.
Police said Loveless was a stay-at-home mom and Christian musician who released original music on SoundCloud and YouTube, and her Facebook account was filled with loving photos of her children.
McElrea said even in the relatively small community of Quakertown, it’s not uncommon for parents to underestimate how hot it will get in the summer sun and leave their children in cars in the hot sun.
On average, children left in hot cars die. Once every 10 daysAccording to the U.S. Department of Transportation.
On Tuesday, another baby boy was left in a hot car in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, after his parents forgot to drop him off at daycare before leaving for work. Sadly, the boy was already dead when he was discovered.
