Mother Arrested After Toddler Left Unattended in Vehicle Found Unresponsive

A 27-year-old mother is facing felony charges after authorities say she left her three-year-old child alone inside a vehicle for approximately two hours, resulting in the child being found unresponsive.

According to DeLand police, the incident occurred around 4:30 p.m. outside a plasma donation center. Investigators state that the woman entered the facility while her child remained inside the parked car.

When the child was discovered unresponsive, a bystander initiated CPR before emergency responders arrived. The child was transported to a local hospital in critical condition. DeLand police have since indicated that the outlook for the child is positive.

The woman was taken into custody outside the donation center and booked into jail. She has been charged with a first-degree felony. According to authorities, she has denied any wrongdoing in connection with the incident.

DeLand police are using this incident to remind parents and guardians of the importance of always checking the back seat of a vehicle before locking it, emphasizing the dangers of leaving children unattended in cars, particularly during warm weather.

The investigation remains ongoing as authorities continue to review the circumstances surrounding the event.