EUSTIS, Fla. – Eustis police are investigating an incident involving a babysitter who allegedly left a 3-month-old infant alone in a car seat on the hot pavement of a parking, officials said on Tuesday.
Police said they responded to Martial Arts World located at 284 West Ardice Ave. on Thursday in reference to a baby left unattended inside of a car seat on the asphalt parking lot.
According to a case report, police learned the baby’s older brother was attending class inside of the facility.
A witness at the business told police that Kirk dropped off the older child around 3:30 p.m. and returned around 4 p.m. to pick up “several other children,” but was not seen with the infant.
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At the end of the class, the witness saw the baby alone in the car seat outside of the building, on the asphalt.
According to the report, after searching for an adult, the witness brought the baby inside of the business and called police.
“Due to the unknown length of time the child had been exposed to high temperatures (approximately 96 degrees F), EMS was requested,” the report read in part.
Police said the infant was taken to the hospital and the parents notified.
After reviewing security footage, police said it showed the babysitter – identified as Wendy Kirk – returning to the building around 4:36 p.m. crying and appearing distressed.
According to the report, Kirk told officers that she realized she left the baby behind and “immediately returned upon realizing the error.”
While being questioned, Kirk told police that she dropped off four children at the business at 3:30 p.m. and then returned to her home in Tavares to pick up the baby who was with her 18-year-old daughter. After picking up the infant, she said she drove back to Martial Arts World around 4 p.m. to pick up the other children.
According to the report, Kirk picked up three children with her vehicle and left the baby on the ground by mistake, then proceeded to drive away around 4:10 p.m. and drive to Life Community Church on Dillard Road to let the children play in a park there.
Police said after about 20-25 minutes, Kirk realized the baby was not with her and drove back to Martial Arts World where she met with officers.
According to the report, if witnesses had not intervened, the baby would have been left alone outside for around 34 minutes.
Kirk was placed under arrest and taken to the Lake County jail.
She faces charges of child neglect without great bodily harm.
Eustis police are holding a press conference at 3 p.m. to provide an update on the case. ClickOrlando will stream the event live.