Father Leaves 6 Kids Locked In Hot Van In Des Plaines: Police

DES PLAINES, IL — A father is accused of leaving his six small children locked inside a hot van Monday while he went to work. According to the Cook County Sheriff's Office, the children, ranging in age from 18 months to 7 years old, were taken to an area hospital, "visibly overheated."

Police have not released the name of the father, who was charged with six counts of misdemeanor child endangerment and released on his own recognizance. He is scheduled to appear for a hearing on the charges June 22.

At around 12:20 p.m. Monday, police said they responded to an apartment building in the 9000 block of Lincoln Drive in unincorporated Maine Township after being notified that six young children were locked in a vehicle parked at the complex.

Upon arrival, police found the children inside a Dodge van. Police said the widows of the van were opened slightly, but the doors were locked. "The children did not appear to be in distress but were visibly overheated," according to police.

Officer canvassed the apartment complex and found the father of the children, who said he works for a cleaning service and left the vehicle to clean one of the residences at 11:30 a.m.

Police said the Illinois Department of Child and Family Services was notified and is evaluating placement for the children.