Manatee County Sheriff’s Office deputies arrested a couple for leaving a 2-year-old boy in a hot vehicle while they shopped.
At approximately 4:10 pm on Sunday, September 22, 2024, deputies responded to Walmart (2911 53rd Ave E, Bradenton) about an unconscious child locked inside a parked car.
After locating the vehicle, deputies observed a toddler lying alone in the backseat. The vehicle’s engine was off, and the child had redness on its face and in possible distress. Deputies broke a window and made contact with the child who was still unresponsive and appeared to be over-heated.
Firefighters were on scene within minutes and carried the child from the car to a fire truck when he woke up and started showing signs of being responsive.
The 2-year-old was transported to a local hospital for further evaluation. He is expected to be OK.
The child’s mother, Astrid Garcia Rojas, 36, and stepfather, Yuannel Montes Rojas, 37, were arrested and charged with aggravated child abuse after surveillance video showed the child was left inside the car for approximately 30 minutes.
The investigation is ongoing.