Video Shows Washington Deputy Rescue Child From Hot Vehicle
CLARK COUNTY, Washington -- A deputy rescued a 2-year-old child from a hot vehicle after receiving a 911 call from concerned community members who reported the toddler had been left alone inside a parked car, according to the Clark County Sheriff's Office.
The incident occurred last month when witnesses noticed a small child alone inside a vehicle parked outside a grocery store. Customers gathered around the vehicle and attempted to create shade while waiting for deputies to arrive.
When Deputy Ben Hulsey reached the scene, the outside temperature was 92 degrees. The vehicle's engine was off, and only a small rear window was partially open. The deputy found the child strapped into a car seat, sweating heavily, unresponsive and with his head tilted to the side.
Believing the child was in immediate danger, Deputy Hulsey broke a window to gain access to the vehicle and remove the toddler. The child was placed in an air-conditioned patrol vehicle and evaluated by emergency medical personnel.
According to investigators, the child had been left alone inside the vehicle for approximately 16 minutes. Deputies later determined the child's parents had been inside a nearby grocery store for nearly 30 minutes before being located.
Both parents face charges of reckless endangerment, according to the sheriff's office. Child Protective Services was also notified.
The incident serves as a reminder of the dangers posed by heat exposure inside parked vehicles. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports that 31 children died from vehicular heatstroke in the United States in 2025.
Clark County Sheriff's Office officials emphasized that temperatures inside parked vehicles can rise rapidly, even when windows are partially open. The agency encouraged residents to call 911 immediately if they observe a child or pet alone in a vehicle and believe the individual may be in distress.
The sheriff's office credited the quick actions of witnesses and Deputy Hulsey with helping ensure the child received prompt medical attention.