Dad Arrested for Leaving 9-Month-Old in Car at Russellville Walmart
By: Lauren Trager, KARK 4 News
Updated: July 22, 2012
A 9-month-old baby was rushed to the hospital after some shoppers noticed her screaming in the back of a car parked at a Russellville Walmart Saturday night.
Now, the baby's dad Andres Balbuena-Cruz has been arrested, charged with a misdemeanor for endangering the welfare of a minor.
But officers believe it was all an accident. Balbuena-Cruz told them he dropped his wife and other kids at the front of the store. He believed his wife had the baby. He didn't meet up with her right away once he was inside, so he didn't notice his mistake.
Using surveillance video, officers confirmed the infant was in the car for at least 15 minutes. Temperatures outside were 102 degrees at the time. Authorities broke two windows to the car to get to the child. The baby appeared very red, was sweating, and definitely over-heated, according to officers. They believe, however, she will be okay.
