A Worcester man is facing a child endangerment charge after police say he left a young child alone in a locked vehicle while shopping at a Northborough Walmart on a day when temperatures reached about 90 degrees.
According to Northborough Police Chief Brian Griffin, officers were dispatched to the Walmart on Otis Street at approximately 4:06 p.m. Thursday, June 11, following reports of a small child left alone in a locked, parked vehicle.
Northborough police and firefighters quickly located the vehicle and safely removed the child from the car. The child was evaluated by emergency medical personnel and transported to an area hospital for evaluation, according to police.
Police identified the vehicle’s owner as Luis Fernando Lopez Veloez, 40, of Worcester.
Following an investigation, police determined Lopez Veloez had been shopping and left the child in the vehicle, according to the department.
Police said the outside temperature was believed to be about 90 degrees at the time of the incident.
Lopez Veloez was arrested without incident and charged with reckless endangerment of a child. He was scheduled to be arraigned Friday in Westborough District Court.
Griffin also credited the bystander who called 911, as well as police officers, firefighters and EMS personnel who responded to the scene.
Northborough police indicate the child was 3 years old and may have been alone in the vehicle for approximately 20 minutes, the Worcester Telegram and Gazette reports.
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