An Indianapolis couple, Mirianne Pierre and Watson Joseph, were charged with child neglect after leaving their two children locked in their SUV with no air conditioning while they shopped at Walmart, police said. The temperature inside the Ford SUV had reached 125 degrees when the children were discovered by a passerby in the parking lot who called 911. Pierre and Joseph were arrested and booked on two counts of neglect of a dependent. One child was sweating profusely while the other appeared dazed. Both children were placed in the custody of the Department of Child Services.
When police arrived at the scene, the parents were confused about what was happening. Pierre claimed she was in the store for a short time and Joseph joined her to help carry heavy items. However, surveillance footage revealed that the couple walked into the store at 6:27 p.m., leaving the children alone for 45 minutes. Paramedics examined the children and found them to be fine other than having unusually high blood pressure for their ages. Both parents have posted bond since their arrest, according to online records.
Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department (IMPD) reminded parents to never leave their children unattended in vehicles, especially during hot weather. IMPD Sgt. Anthony Patterson emphasized that temperatures in parked cars can rise very quickly, posing a serious risk to children left inside. Once the engine is turned off, the temperatures inside a car can increase rapidly, making it dangerous for anyone left inside, even for a short period of time.
The couple’s neglect of their children led to charges of neglect of a dependent, highlighting the seriousness of leaving children unattended in vehicles during extreme temperatures. Surveillance footage revealed that they had left their children alone in the hot car for 45 minutes while they shopped at Walmart. The children were found to be in distress, with one sweating profusely and the other appearing confused. Both children were placed in the care of the Department of Child Services, while the parents were arrested and later released on bond.
The incident serves as a reminder of the dangers of leaving children unattended in vehicles, particularly during hot weather. IMPD emphasized the rapid rise in temperatures inside parked cars and urged parents to never leave their children alone, stressing that even a short amount of time can have serious consequences. The neglect of the Indianapolis couple resulted in criminal charges, highlighting the importance of ensuring the safety and well-being of children at all times.
The Indianapolis couple’s actions, which led to their arrest on charges of neglect of a dependent, underscore the importance of maintaining the safety of children in all circumstances. Leaving children unattended in vehicles, especially during hot weather, can have severe consequences, as demonstrated by the dangerously high temperatures inside the SUV where the children were left alone. The couple’s confusion about the situation further emphasizes the need for vigilance and responsibility when caring for children, as demonstrated by the swift action taken by authorities in response to the neglectful behavior of the parents.
