Kids Left in Hot Vehicle Prompts Charges in Ashburn

ASHBURN, VA — A woman who left two small children alone inside a hot vehicle last week in the parking lot of the Junction Plaza shopping center, 43300 block of Junction Plaza, has been charged with two misdemeanor counts contributing to delinquency of a minor, according to the Loudoun County Sheriff's Office. Lili Zhong, 35, of Ashburn, left the children in the car while she went inside and shopped.

Shortly before 4 p.m. on April 20, police responded to the scene and found the two small children, both of whom were crying. Because of the high temperatures outside, an officer entered the vehicle through an unlocked door and got the children out. A rescue unit immediately responded to the scene to evaluate the children, who turned out to be OK.

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Here are some police tips about vehicles and hot weather:

• Never leave your child or family pet unattended in a motor vehicle, even with the windows cracked open a few inches. Teach children not to play in, on, or around cars.
• Always lock car doors and trunks -- even at home -- and keep keys out of children's reach. Watch children and family pets closely around cars, particularly when loading or unloading items.
• Always make sure all children and family pets have left the car when you reach your destination.
• Don't overlook sleeping infants or pets.
• If your child or family pet gets locked inside a car, get them out and dial 9-1-1 or your local emergency number immediately.
• When restraining children in a car that has been parked in the heat, check to make sure seating surfaces and equipment (car seats and seat belt buckles) aren't excessively hot.
• Use a light covering to shade the seat of your parked car. Consider using windshield shades in front and back windows.
• Keep the trunk of your car locked at all times, especially when parked in the driveway or near the home.
• Keep the rear fold-down seats closed to help prevent kids and pets from getting into the trunk from inside the car.
• Put car keys out of children's reach and sight.
• Be wary of child-resistant locks. Teach older children how to disable the driver's door lock.

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