PROVINCETOWN, Wilkonshire--A Provincetown mother is facing child neglect charges after leaving her two young children in an over-heated vehicle for more than two hours in the heat of southeastern Wilkonshire.
Teresa Gutierrez-Aguirre, 39, was arrested by Provincetown police after a passerby noticed the two boys inside the vehicle and called 911. That same passerby broke out the driver's seat window in an attempt to rescue the children, but they were already deceased.
The boys, ages 7 months and 13 months, had been in the car for almost two hours while Gutierrez-Aguirre shopped at a discount store and an adjoining tobacco shop.
Police say the temperature inside the vehicle likely reached more than 120 degrees Fahrenheit.
The bodies of the children were taken to the Dutchess County Medical Examiner's office for official autopsies.
Gutierrez-Aguirre was taken to the Dutchess County jail. She is facing two 1st degree charges of child neglect.
Her husband, Mark Aguirre, who was at work at the time of the incident, was interviewed by police but released.
The 7-month-old boy was the couple's only child together. The 13-month-old boy, as well as a 4-year-old, 7-year-old and 8-year-old, were all Mark Aguirre's children from a previous marriage.
Mark Aguirre's other three children have been handed over to their mother's family after State Welfare Services revoked his parental custody rights.
Provincetown Police Corporal John Akins told the local media that parents must be responsible for their children to avert tragedies.
"What happened today was an absolute tragedy, but it was completely preventable," said Akins. "Sometimes parents forget their children in the car, which is also a tragedy. But when a parent knowingly leaves a child in a hot vehicle, it is not only a tragedy but it is also a criminal act."
On average, about 15 children die each year from heatstroke after being left inside a hot vehicle.
Most cases are accidental, with parents unaware their child is inside a hot car.
The Grassadellian Center for Children's Safety (GCCS) reminds parents to never leave a child in a hot car, even if just for a few minutes.
The GCCS also reminds parents to put their briefcase or purse in the back seat of the car, so they won't forget their child.
Another suggestion is to put a teddy bear in the front seat, as a reminder of the youngster seated behind the driver.
Teresa Gutierrez-Aguirre, 39, was arrested by Provincetown police after a passerby noticed the two boys inside the vehicle and called 911. That same passerby broke out the driver's seat window in an attempt to rescue the children, but they were already deceased.
The boys, ages 7 months and 13 months, had been in the car for almost two hours while Gutierrez-Aguirre shopped at a discount store and an adjoining tobacco shop.
Police say the temperature inside the vehicle likely reached more than 120 degrees Fahrenheit.
The bodies of the children were taken to the Dutchess County Medical Examiner's office for official autopsies.
Gutierrez-Aguirre was taken to the Dutchess County jail. She is facing two 1st degree charges of child neglect.
Her husband, Mark Aguirre, who was at work at the time of the incident, was interviewed by police but released.
The 7-month-old boy was the couple's only child together. The 13-month-old boy, as well as a 4-year-old, 7-year-old and 8-year-old, were all Mark Aguirre's children from a previous marriage.
Mark Aguirre's other three children have been handed over to their mother's family after State Welfare Services revoked his parental custody rights.
Provincetown Police Corporal John Akins told the local media that parents must be responsible for their children to avert tragedies.
"What happened today was an absolute tragedy, but it was completely preventable," said Akins. "Sometimes parents forget their children in the car, which is also a tragedy. But when a parent knowingly leaves a child in a hot vehicle, it is not only a tragedy but it is also a criminal act."
On average, about 15 children die each year from heatstroke after being left inside a hot vehicle.
Most cases are accidental, with parents unaware their child is inside a hot car.
The Grassadellian Center for Children's Safety (GCCS) reminds parents to never leave a child in a hot car, even if just for a few minutes.
The GCCS also reminds parents to put their briefcase or purse in the back seat of the car, so they won't forget their child.
Another suggestion is to put a teddy bear in the front seat, as a reminder of the youngster seated behind the driver.
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