Overview

• The father left his four children, aged 2 to 7, locked in a non-running car with the windows up in Phoenix’s triple-digit heat for nearly an hour while he shopped at an adult store.
• Officers responding to a concerned citizen’s call found the car’s interior temperature at approximately 125°F and the children with internal body temperatures near 100°F showing signs of heat distress.
• All four children were given water, placed in an air-conditioned police SUV and transported to a nearby hospital, where officials expect them to make a full recovery.
• Ascencio Largo, 38, was arrested and booked on eight felony counts of child abuse and endangerment, and the Arizona Department of Child Safety has opened its own investigation.
• Medical experts note that vehicle cabins can heat up by 20°F within 10 minutes and advise caregivers to conduct back-seat checks to prevent similar tragedies.