WESTLAKE, Ohio — Westlake officers rescued a 14-month-old child from the back of a locked vehicle that also had a bag of marijuana in plain sight at Crocker Park on Saturday. Temperatures were about 70 to 75 degrees with 50% humidity, police said.
Police received a call from Crocker Park security at about 12:30 p.m. about a child locked in an otherwise unoccupied vehicle on the ground floor of the Main Street Garage, according to a news release. The car’s windows were rolled up, and the sun roof was just slightly cracked.
There was also a bag of what appeared to be marijuana in plain sight, locked inside with the baby, police stated.
A shopper had alerted security about the vehicle, but the customer only saw that it was illegally parked; they did not notice the baby strapped in the back seat, according to the release.
Once security notified police there was a baby in the car, police arrived with a Westlake Fire Department rescue squad, unlocked the vehicle, and freed the child to get him some fresh air, the release states. The child was taken to the hospital for evaluation. The child was later released to his mother with a safety plan in place.
While officers were investigating, the child’s father returned with an Apple Store bag in hand, the post continues. He admitted he “completely forgot” his child was in the back seat.
Police said the “forgetful father,” a 23-year-old from Cleveland, was arrested and charged with endangering children and possession of marijuana.
“Kudos to the citizen shopper who followed the 'see something say something' marketing and to Crocker Park Security who took the extra step to check the inside of the car before simply giving it a parking ticket,” states a Facebook post from Westlake police. “This goes as an important reminder to all. Slow down and keep everyone safe!”
