Nationwide — Cara Dugan, a 40-year-old mother from Merrick County, Nebraska, is facing serious charges after allegedly leaving her infant alone in a hot vehicle while she participated in a fair event, according to local authorities. The incident took place at the Merrick County Fairgrounds, where the mother was attending to ride a horse inside one of the buildings.
According to WLBT, the situation unfolded on a Saturday when a Merrick County Deputy was dispatched to the fairgrounds to investigate a report of an unattended infant in a vehicle. The investigation began after a concerned bystander, alerted by the sound of a baby crying, started checking the vehicles in the area and eventually discovered the infant inside.
When deputies arrived on the scene, they found the 3-month-old baby inside a parked pickup truck. The vehicle’s engine was turned off, and the windows were only partially open, creating a dangerously hot environment for the child. The infant had been left in this condition for an extended period, heightening the risk of heat-related injury.
At the time of the discovery, Dugan was found inside a building at the fairgrounds, where she was engaged in riding a horse. Her actions led to her immediate arrest by the deputies.
Dugan has been charged with one count of child abuse in connection with the incident. Fortunately, despite the outside temperature reaching between 89 and 90 degrees Fahrenheit, the baby did not suffer any physical injuries as a result of being left in the vehicle.
Following the incident, the infant was taken into protective custody by the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services to ensure the child’s safety. The case highlights the dangers of leaving children unattended in vehicles, especially in hot weather, and serves as a sobering reminder of the potential consequences.
