Davis police are investigating an incident in which an infant was left in a hot car Monday in the Target parking lot.
Lt. Ton Phan said officers were summoned to the Second Street store at about 3:30 p.m. after a family heard a baby crying in a nearby car and saw the 9-month-old girl still strapped in her car seat inside.
The baby’s father had returned to the vehicle by the time police and a medical crew arrived on scene, saying “he forgot the child was in the car” when he went into the store, Phan said.
He estimated he was inside the store for about 15 minutes, “but that’s just a guess right now,” Phan said. Police plan to consult with Target security to determine the exact amount of time.
The outdoor temperature was 89 degrees at the time, Phan said. Although no reading was taken of the car’s interior, the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration says temperatures in enclosed vehicles rise an average of 19 degrees within 10 minutes.
Phan said the baby was sweating but did not appear to be in distress. No arrest was made, but police will send the case to the Yolo County District Attorney’s Office to determine whether charges are warranted, he said.