Rhode Island woman accused of leaving 7-month-old child in hot car while shopping

A Rhode Island woman has been charged after reportedly leaving her young child in a sweltering car.

According to Captain Kyle Wingate, on Sunday, at approximately 5:00 p.m., Lincoln Police officers responded to a call regarding an unattended baby left inside a vehicle at the Lincoln Mall, near Asia Grille. The vehicle was described as an older red Ford Ranger with a Rhode Island combination registration.

Upon arrival, officers were directed to the vehicle by a witness. The officers located the older
model red Ford Ranger parked four rows back from Asia Grille and Job Lot, approximately 200
feet from the nearest establishment. The vehicle’s windows were rolled up, except for the
passenger side front window, which was slightly cracked under a quarter of an inch. The vehicle was not running, and no keys were in the ignition.

Inside the vehicle, officers observed a baby, appearing to be under a year old, seated in a rear-facing car seat in the front passenger seat. The officers noted that all doors and windows were
locked. Given the outside temperature of 81 degrees, and observing the infant’s flushed, sweaty appearance, officers determined that forced entry was necessary to ensure the baby’s safety. Officers attempted to locate a related adult before entering the vehicle. Officers broke into the vehicle through the rear driver’s side window and safely removed the infant. The interior temperature of the vehicle was measured at 84 degrees. The infant was placed in a
police cruiser with air conditioning running until rescue personnel arrived.

Shortly after, a woman identified as 55-year-old Lorrie Carter from Foster RI, approached officers carrying several brown paper bags. Carter admitted to leaving the baby in the vehicle while she went to get some egg rolls from Asia Grille and purchased miscellaneous items from Job Lot. Carter told police she had been gone for approximately 20 minutes and usually leaves the vehicle running but was unable to find her spare key.

Carter claimed she thought leaving the window slightly cracked was sufficient and it was readily apparent to the police that Carter did not believe she had done anything wrong by leaving her 7-month-old child alone in a hot vehicle while she went shopping. Carter was then taken into police custody.

The infant was transported to Hasbro Children’s Hospital for further evaluation.

Carter was processed and charged with cruelty or neglect of a child at the Lincoln Police Department, and the Department of Children, Youth, and Families was notified.

Carter is scheduled to appear at 3rd District Court on August 19th.

The investigation remains ongoing.