Police Smash Car Window to Rescue Children Left in Sweltering Vehicle
Cobb County, GA — Body camera footage captured a tense and urgent rescue on June 4, when Cobb County police officers smashed a car window to save two young children left inside a locked vehicle for nearly 45 minutes.
According to authorities, the temperature in Atlanta that day reached 87 degrees. Inside the parked vehicle, the heat index soared to a dangerous “real feel” of 117 degrees. Police say that in such conditions, children can suffer heatstroke in a matter of minutes.
The footage shows officers working swiftly after arriving at the scene in a busy parking lot. One officer shattered the window of the vehicle before pulling the children to safety. Both children were evaluated at the scene by emergency responders and later reported to be in stable condition.
“This incident is a stark reminder of how quickly a car can become deadly in the summer heat,” a Cobb County police spokesperson said in a statement.
Authorities have not released details about potential charges against the children’s guardian but emphasized that leaving minors unattended in a vehicle is both illegal and life-threatening.
National safety advocates warn that even on mild days, car interiors can become dangerously hot within minutes. On average, 37 children die each year in the United States from heatstroke after being left in vehicles, according to KidsAndCars.org.
Cobb County police urge the public: “If you see a child left alone in a hot car, call 911 immediately. Your call could save a life.”