St. Petersburg, Florida — A Florida woman is facing child abuse charges after police say she left her 1-year-old son alone inside a hot vehicle for nearly 30 minutes while picking up an Uber Eats order, leading officers to intervene after the child was found showing signs of heat exposure.
According to the St. Petersburg Police Department, Ly Thien Pham, 40, was arrested following the incident, which reportedly unfolded Sunday afternoon while she was working as a food delivery driver.
Investigators say the child was left unattended inside the parked vehicle with the engine turned off during the hottest part of the day.
Police Say Child Was Left Alone in Parked Vehicle
According to an arrest affidavit, the incident occurred around 3:30 p.m. when Pham arrived at a restaurant in downtown St. Petersburg to collect a food delivery order.
Police allege that she parked her vehicle and left her young son secured in the backseat before entering the restaurant.
Authorities said the vehicle’s engine was turned off, leaving the child without air conditioning, while the hazard lights remained on.
After picking up the order, investigators say Pham was unable to locate her parked vehicle.
Mother Reportedly Spent Nearly 30 Minutes Searching for Car
According to police, Pham told investigators she forgot where she had parked after leaving the restaurant. Instead of immediately finding the vehicle, authorities said she wandered through the downtown area searching for it.
Nearly 30 minutes later, officers helped locate the vehicle, where they found the toddler still inside.
Police reported that the child was sweating profusely when they reached the car, raising immediate concerns about possible heat-related illness.
The boy was taken to Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital for medical evaluation and treatment.
Child Placed With Relative After Mother’s Arrest
Following the incident, Pham was arrested and transported to the Pinellas County Jail, where she was booked on a child abuse charge.
The child was later released into the custody of his aunt while the criminal case moves forward. According to court records, Pham posted a $10,000 bond on Monday and was released from custody.
As part of her release conditions, the court ordered that she have no contact with the child’s aunt regarding the boy. A future court date had not yet been listed in publicly available records.
Heat Inside Parked Vehicles Can Become Deadly Within Minutes
Safety experts continue to warn that temperatures inside parked vehicles can rise rapidly, even when outdoor temperatures appear moderate.
Children are especially vulnerable because their bodies heat up much faster than adults, increasing the risk of serious heat-related illness in a short amount of time.
Authorities regularly urge parents and caregivers to never leave children unattended inside a parked vehicle, even for only a few minutes, regardless of whether the windows are cracked or the trip is expected to be brief.
The investigation into this incident remains ongoing as the case proceeds through the court system.
What are your thoughts on this case? Do you think stronger awareness campaigns about the dangers of leaving children in parked vehicles could help prevent similar incidents? Share your thoughts respectfully in the comments below.
