Mom In Court On Hot Car Charge Allegedly Leaves Kids In Hot Car

A Virginia mother who was reportedly turning herself in to authorities on a charge related to leaving a child in a hot car allegedly left two children in a hot car while she was in the courthouse.

The suspect, Laquanda Newby, 25, was allegedly inside Henrico County Courthouse Monday afternoon being booked on the initial charge while her kids were in the car with the windows shut, AP reported.

Temperatures in the Richmond area hovered around 90 degrees Fahrenheit on Monday. Based on surveillance video, cops estimate that two boys, ages one and six, were sitting in the vehicle for one to two hours.

Apparently, the car keys were tossed on the floorboard of the vehicle.

Law enforcement authorities charged the woman with three misdemeanor counts of contributing to the delinquency or abuse of a child, and she was released today on a $2,000 bond.

The first alleged hot-car incident involving the same mom occurred late last month, according to WTVR, CBS 6 in Richmond, which prompted the Monday trip to the courthouse.

“On May 26, Newby was initially accused of leaving a child in her car while she shopped at the Sam’s Club at White Oak Village. When police arrived they found Newby by her car, but could not arrest her because the officer had not witnessed the alleged crime. Instead, the officer swore out a warrant if Newby promised to later turn herself in.”

A passerby near the courthouse apparently notified sheriff’s deputies of the alleged hot-car situation involving the toddler and his older brother, according to Capt. David Kinkle of the Henrico Sheriff’s Department. “Had a citizen not alerted us to this, it’s a situation that would’ve turned out much differently.” The children fortunately survived the ordeal without any ill effects, he added. “Their shirts were wet, sweat rolling off their brows. They seemed to be OK, but it was very hot.”

Lt. Col. Alisa Gregory of the Henrico County Sheriff’s office confirmed that “the temperature was in the 90s and it was very humid.”

Cops gave the kids water and snacks while they waited inside the facility for their dad — who had been informed about what happened — to pick them up.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kxu32n7MAcw

[Image credit: Henrico County Jail]