Two Walmart Shoppers Charged With Leaving a Baby Trapped in Hot Car Parked Outside

Two Walmart Shoppers Charged With Leaving a Baby Trapped in Hot Car Parked Outside
Suspects Anita Jean Dobbins, 18, (L) and Angela Marie Dobbins, 46, have been charged with reckless endangerment of a baby in Scottsboro, Ariz., on July 22, 2019. (Courtesy of Scottsboro Police Department)
Richard Szabo
7/25/2019
Updated:
7/25/2019

Two Alabama women were arrested after going shopping at a local hypermarket and leaving an infant unattended in their sweltering car on July 22.

Scottsboro Police Department (SPD) has detained and charged locals Angela Marie Dobbins, 46, and Anita Jean Dobbins, 18, with reckless endangerment.

SPD is accusing the suspects of leaving a baby in their vehicle unattended outside the Walmart Supercenter at 24833 John T Reid Parkway in Scottsboro, 204 miles north of Montgomery.

It took minutes for police to respond to a phone call reporting the distressed child was trapped in a hot car. Officers who arrived at the scene discovered the car’s engine was turned off and doors were locked.

“The child, 8-months-old, [was] crying inside,” police said. Two Alabama women were arrested after going shopping at a local hypermarket and leaving an infant unattended in their sweltering car on July 22.

Scottsboro Police Department (SPD) has detained and charged locals Angela Marie Dobbins, 46, and Anita Jean Dobbins, 18, with reckless endangerment in a statement. “The temperature was around 89 degrees [Fahrenheit] at that time.”

Since the two women where nowhere to be seen, officers forced their way into the car and rescued the infant. The responsible adults are believed to have left the scene a little earlier.

“Officers gained access inside the vehicle by breaking a window,” police said. “Officers determined the child was left unattended in the vehicle approximately 15 minutes before officers arrived.”

Health professionals rushed to the scene to provide urgent medical assistance to the child who is now in a stable condition.

“The child was treated by medical personnel on scene and is doing fine,” police said.

The Alabama Department of Human Resources has placed the child in temporary care pending a full investigation.

On SPD’s social media page, several concerned citizens approved of the state’s decision to take temporary custody of the child.

“I hope that child is in Child Protective Services,” Heather Alich Skelton commented. Since the two women where nowhere to be seen, officers forced their way into the car and rescued the infant. The responsible adults are believed to have left the scene a little earlier.

SPD’s Facebook post said “Officers gained access inside the vehicle by breaking a window,” police said, “Officers determined the child was left unattended in the vehicle approximately 15 minutes before officers arrived.” and more, “I know it wasn’t with the parents but maybe the people you leave your baby with should be trustworthy.”

Others could not understand how a responsible parent or guardian could leave a child in the car.

“There were two people in the car, and both of them got out without that baby?” Ashley Myers commented.

“Why? Why would you leave a child in a car like that?” Michael Myers commented.

“Others believed authorities should make more serious charges.

“Should be charged with attempted murder,” Cody Wllks commented.

Investigations are continuing, and anyone with information is encouraged to contact SPD by phoning 256-574-3333.

Richard Szabo is an award-winning journalist with more than 12 years' experience in news writing at mainstream and niche media organizations. He has a specialty in business, tourism, hospitality, and healthcare reporting.
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