UPDATE: An Arizona father has been sentenced to 10 years probation after leaving his four children in a locked car that reached a staggering 124 degrees while he visited an adult store. Ascencio Largo, 38, was arrested in July 2023 and has spent four months in jail.
Authorities report that the children were found in dire conditions, with body temperatures ranging from 99.7° to 100.4°F. This shocking incident unfolded when a concerned citizen called 911, alerting police to the situation. Officers arrived to find the children visibly affected by the heat, sweating profusely and with red skin, prompting immediate action.
According to body-worn camera footage released by the Phoenix Police Department, officers asked, “Where’s mom or dad?” while rescuing the children. They discovered that Largo was inside The Adult Shoppe on South 24th Street in the Crestwood neighborhood of Phoenix, seemingly indifferent to the imminent danger his children faced.
The police press release emphasized the urgency of the situation: “The car was turned off and the windows were rolled up. Officers recognized the danger this posed to the children and immediately gained access to the vehicle.” After rescuing the children, they were provided with water and placed in a patrol vehicle with air conditioning to cool down.
During Largo’s first court appearance, the prosecutor highlighted the severe risk to the children’s lives, stating, “The children were in imminent danger of death in this situation.” The judge echoed these concerns, pointing out the potential for tragedy: “You could have exited that store to a car full of your dead children.”
Largo, reportedly under the influence of alcohol, initially denied ownership of the vehicle but later expressed shock upon realizing what had happened. Thankfully, all four children involved in this incident survived and were closely monitored after their rescue.
As this case unfolds, it raises critical questions about parental responsibilities and the safety of children in extreme conditions. The community watches closely as authorities continue to address the implications of such reckless actions.
This story serves as a stark reminder of the dangers posed by leaving children unattended in vehicles, especially during extreme weather conditions.
