2 Little Kids Left In Car While Man Shops Inside Louis Joliet Mall: Joliet Police

JOLIET, IL —A 27-year-old man from Lockport has been charged with two crimes of endangering the health or safety of a child following a recent incident at the Louis Joliet Mall where he is accused of leaving two little kids inside his vehicle while he went inside to do his retail shopping.

According to Joliet police spokesman Dwayne English, at 7:39 p.m. on May 8, officers responded to the Louis Joliet Mall parking lot, located at 3340 Mall Loop Drive, for a report of two young children left unattended inside a vehicle.

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Upon arrival, officers saw a young boy sweating heavily
and a young girl child crying while seated in her car seat inside an unattended vehicle, English noted.

Officers were able to open the vehicle and found that all the windows were closed. Although the vehicle was running, the air conditioner was not operating.

English said a man later identified as Justin Crubaugh of Lockport approached officers and confirmed the vehicle belonged to him. According to English, Crubaugh stated he had gone inside the mall for a short period of time. Officers determined the children had been left unattended inside the vehicle for at least 15 to 20 minutes. Crubaugh was taken into custody without incident.

The little boy was determined to be 5 years old, and the girl is 1 year old. Both children were evaluated by Joliet Fire Department paramedics as a precaution.

Crubaugh was processed at the Joliet Police Department and released on a notice to appear in court. The children were released into the care of their mother. The Illinois Department of Children and Family Services was notified of the incident, English pointed out.