St. Petersburg, FL – A St. Petersburg woman has been charged after police said a 1-year-old child was allegedly found inside a hot vehicle for nearly half an hour while the woman went inside a restaurant.
According to arrest documents, Ly Thien Pham went to a restaurant around 3:30 p.m. Sunday to pick up an Uber Eats order.
Investigators said Pham told officers she forgot where she parked her vehicle after leaving the restaurant.
Police said the child and the vehicle were located after law enforcement responded to the area, nearly 30 minutes after Pham entered the restaurant.
The toddler was taken to Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital for evaluation and treatment.
St. Petersburg Police Department spokesperson Yolanda Fernandez said the case involves child abuse allegations.
Fernandez said Pham claimed she did not intend to leave the child behind and believed she would only be away briefly while collecting the order.
Medical professionals said children face a higher risk of heat-related illness because their smaller bodies can become affected by rising temperatures more quickly than adults.
Doctors warned that heat exposure can progress from symptoms such as confusion and dehydration to seizures, unconsciousness and potentially death.
St. Petersburg Fire Rescue officials reminded parents and caregivers that children should never be left alone inside vehicles, even for short periods.
Firefighters recommend placing a personal item in the back seat, such as a phone or bag, as a reminder to check before leaving the vehicle.
The investigation into the incident remains active.
All suspects are assumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.