Medford, Ore. — According to a child safety group, more kids are dying in cars from heat stroke than ever before.
The non-profit, kidsandcars.org, said 14 children have already died in hot cars this year.
Medford Police Lt. Mike Budreau said it’s a mistake parents make that can quickly turn deadly.
“We know that temperatures in cars can exceed 150 degrees in a matter of minutes,” Budreau said.
Budreau said it’s not something the Medford Police Department sees often. But if they did, officers would take action immediately.
“We would break the window and get the child out,” Budreau said.
The parent could face charges of child neglect, or worse if the child dies.
One parent, Josh Baker, said it seems like a mistake that would be impossible to make.
“I believe that if parents are that irresponsible then they shouldn’t be parents in the beginning,” said Baker.
Budreau said Medford has a city ordinance that says you can’t leave children under the age of 10 years-old unattended in a vehicle. People who violate the ordinance could end up paying a $150 fine.
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