A woman was arrested by DeLand police after she allegedly left a three-year-old child unattended in a hot vehicle for approximately two hours while visiting a plasma donation center.
On Sunday, May 31, shortly after 4:30 p.m., DeLand Police Department officers and local firefighters responded to the 300 block of New York Avenue. An individual had called 911 after finding an unresponsive child inside a vehicle, according to DPD.
A witness was administering CPR on the child when first responders arrived at the incident location. The child was transported to a local hospital in critical condition.
DeLand police launched an investigation, which revealed that a woman – identified as 27-year-old Latana Williams – had reportedly left the child in her vehicle for around two hours while she donated plasma.
Despite the allegations, police noted that Williams “denied any wrongdoing.”
Williams was placed under arrest and booked into Volusia County Jail. She is being charged with child neglect, which is a first-degree felony.
In an update on social media, DeLand police stated that the toddler’s medical outlook appears positive.
“Please take this as a reminder to always check your back seats,” said DeLand Police Department Captain Prurince Dice. “Give yourself enough time when you’re traveling so you’re not in a rush when you arrive at your destination.”
The investigation into this incident remains active and ongoing, according to DeLand police.