Four children are lucky to be alive after their father allegedly left them in a hot car in the parking lot of an Arizona adult bookstore.
As reported by Fox 10, authorities discovered the children, aged 2, 3, 4, and 7, inside a vehicle shortly after 3:30 p.m. The National Weather Service indicated that Phoenix was experiencing temperatures in the triple digits on that day.
Phoenix Police Sgt. Rob Scherer said officers acted quickly to save the children.
“They immediately removed all the kids from the car and provided them with water. The children showed signs of distress, such as skin discoloration, bright red skin, and sweating,” a spokesperson noted.
“Clearly, the heat was affecting the children.”
Once the children were safely headed to the hospital for evaluation, police began searching for the vehicle’s owner and the children’s caregiver.
Court records accuse the children’s father, Ascencio Largo, 38, of being inside The Adult Shoppe located near 24th and Madison streets. Officials estimate that Largo had been in the store for nearly an hour.
Court documents also noted a smell of alcohol on Largo.
During Largo’s court appearance, Maricopa County Commissioner Jane McLaughlin stated, “The police allege that they went into the store, called out many times. Nobody came out. And they allege that when you came out, you attempted to pretend like it wasn’t your car. It just indicates a strong level of reckless culpability of knowing.”
Police arrested Largo, who is now facing four counts of child abuse and four counts of endangerment.
Check back for updates.
[Feature Photo via Phoenix PD]
