Lessons learned in wake of boy, 2, left in 120-degree car

In wake of this week’s incident involving a two-year-old boy being left in a hot car, ABC-7 wanted to know what can safely be one to cool down a child until emergency personnel arrive.

Also, what can be done to keep people from forgetting their children in the car in the first place.

ABC-7 has learned that the boy was in the care of his grandparents when the incident occurred.

“I can’t understand how it’s possible for anybody to forget a child in a car,” said El Pasoan Luz Maria Holguin, who takes care of her six-year-old and two-year-old grand daughters almost every day. “I feel terrible. They probably feel awful about it.”

The home in East El Paso where a two-year-old boy was left in a car this week doubles as an adult foster home. It’s located right next door to a child’s day care, where employees told ABC-7 they witnessed the aftermath. They saw an elderly couple completely distraught as the ambulance was taking the boy away.

“I forgot (my son) was in the back seat one time,” El Pasoan Rose Melfah said after getting out of her car with her 19-month-old son Kofi on Thursday. “I closed my door and I peaked. He was back there and I was like, ‘Oh, you know. Thank god I remembered.'”

She wishes car makers and car seat manufacturers would get together and develop some kind of alarm system.

“It’s sad,” Melfah said. “But you know, I can relate to the forgetful part, so I’m not one to cast stones at people. Stuff happens.”

Dr. Jagdish Patel, an East El Paso pediatrician, said extreme heat can affect all of the body’s organs quickly. Patel said the best way to cool a child down safely is to, first, get them out of the heat and into a cool place. Remove their clothes. Spray or sponge them with water, rather than immersing them. Place ice packs in the groin area and under their arms. And call 911.

“Put cold water on them and when the air passes through, the body cools down faster instead of submerging them in water,” Dr. Patel said.

The uncle of the two-year-old boy found in the car this week sent ABC-7 this statement:

“At this time it is unclear how this unfortunate event took place, however my nephew was under the care of his maternal grandparents. While he is in critical condition at this time, we remain optimistic that with the care of the staff at El Paso Children’s Hospital everything will make a turn for the better.

“Sadly, he has possibly sustained some brain and organ damage. We are still waiting on test results. Like everyone else, we too want answers as to how and why. Since there is an open investigation we all have to respect and trust the authorities to do their job. What we do know for sure is that he was found in a car unresponsive.

“The events leading up are a mystery that I hope will be revealed. When and if charges are made we expect those responsible to be prosecuted to the full extend of the law. No one should ever have to see a child in a position that is avoidable. The emotional distress is one that others can avert by remaining vigilant.”