Solon, Ohio – Police in Solon say a 28-year-old father left his 1-year-old son alone inside a cold car while he shopped at a nearby Aldi store, prompting a welfare check and an eventual child endangerment charge. Officers reported that the baby was crying, visibly shaken and “shivering” when they arrived at the scene on Nov. 14.
Incident Overview
According to the Solon Police Department, officers responded around 3 p.m. to the Aldi located in the 6200 block of Som Center Road after a caller reported a baby left unattended in a vehicle. When officers arrived, they located a black Mercedes sedan on the north side of the building and immediately heard a child crying from inside.
Police used a lock-out tool to enter the vehicle and quickly contacted fire department medics to assess the child’s condition. Officers said they found the 1-year-old strapped into a car seat with only a small crack in both passenger-side windows for ventilation.
Timeline of Events
As officers worked to remove the child, a man later identified as Dazhawn Richardson, 28, walked out of the grocery store and informed authorities he was the child’s father. Police body camera footage shows officers opening the car door as the baby’s crying grows louder, with one officer noting the child appeared “cold and shaking.”
Medics determined the child had been alone in the vehicle for at least 15 minutes, with the car turned off and no heat running despite temperatures hovering near 40 degrees.
Details From Police and Witnesses
Moments after officers arrived, they spoke with a woman believed to be the 911 caller. The woman said she waited by the car because she could hear the baby “crying for a while.”
“The baby is crying. It’s been a while,” the witness told officers.
“Yeah, that’s totally unacceptable. I mean, that’s literally a baby,” the responding officer replied.
When officers finally removed the child, one commented on how cold he felt.
“The kid was literally shivering,” the officer told another at the scene.
Statements From the Father
When Richardson met officers outside the store, he appeared remorseful and repeatedly admitted his actions were dangerous. He explained he didn’t have any change for a grocery cart and couldn’t hold his son and carry groceries at the same time. He also mentioned he had recently donated blood and was experiencing arm pain, which made carrying the child difficult.
Richardson told police he understood that what he did was “stupid” and that his son’s safety should have been the priority.
Authorities stated that Richardson appeared genuinely concerned once he realized the severity of the situation. Paramedics confirmed the child was cold but did not note any severe medical issues.
Child Safety Concerns
Solon police and child welfare experts emphasize that even in cool weather, leaving a young child alone in a vehicle is extremely dangerous. Temperatures in a car can drop quickly, especially when the engine is off and windows are barely open.
Babies and toddlers lose heat rapidly because their bodies cannot regulate temperature as efficiently as adults. A child left in a cold vehicle may face risks such as hypothermia, shock, or breathing difficulties.
Officials remind parents that even a few minutes can put a young child at serious risk.
Additional Context and Public Awareness
Incidents involving children left unattended in vehicles occur throughout the country each year. While many cases occur during hot weather, cold-weather incidents like this one are equally hazardous. Law enforcement agencies urge caregivers to bring children with them, no matter how quick the errand, or seek assistance if they are unable to manage both a child and groceries.
Communities are encouraged to report any unattended children they notice in vehicles, as bystanders often play a critical role in preventing harm.
Conclusion
Richardson received a citation for child endangerment, though it was not immediately clear when he is scheduled to appear in court. After medics assessed the 1-year-old, police allowed the father to accompany his son into the ambulance. Paramedics later told officers that Richardson began crying inside.
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