Mother arrested for leaving son in car

FISHERS, Ind. (WISH) - A Hamilton County mom was arrested Tuesday for leaving her son in a sizzling car.

Roni Penn, 34, was arrested outside of the Super Target on 11000 block of Commercial Drive in Indianapolis.

Penn admitted to police she left her 4-year-old son in the car. When questioned, Penn told investigators her son did not want to go inside the store.

"The mother allowed the child to dictate what type of decisions she would make," said Fishers Officer Tom Weger. "That's not a good choice."

The boy was left inside the car for 30 minutes according to the mother. Temperatures climbed to as high as 100 degrees.

Paramedics checked the child’s condition. They described the boy as being hot and sweaty, but he did not need medical attention.

Police arrested Penn and transported her to the Hamilton County Jail. The boy was released to his father.

Earlier this month, a 4-month old girl died after being left in a car in Greenfield. Police arrested and charged the baby’s father, 19-year-old Josh Stryzinski, with neglect of a dependent resulting in death.

"It's very clear that this is dangerous and this is something we take very seriously," said Weger.

A recent study by the U.S. Department of Transportation's National Highway Traffic Safety Administration says devices designed to keep parents from leaving their children in hot cars are not effective.

Police officials said to never leave a child alone in a vehicle even if the windows are open. They also suggest making a habit of looking through the car — front and back —before walking away, and lastly place your cell phone or purse in the back seat to indicate a child is in the car seat.