A North Charleston woman is facing child endangerment charges after police say she left her young children alone inside a hot car for more than half an hour while she shopped.
North Charleston Mom Arrested for Leaving Children in Car
According to the North Charleston Police Department, the incident happened around 12:40 p.m. Wednesday outside a store on Rivers Avenue. Officers were called after witnesses noticed children left alone in a vehicle with the windows rolled up.
When police arrived, the car was already leaving the parking lot. Officers stopped the vehicle and found four children under the age of 3 sitting in the backseat. Shockingly, none of them were buckled into car seats or wearing seat belts, police said.
Surveillance Footage Confirms Timeline
Investigators reviewed store surveillance video, which showed that the driver, identified as 30-year-old Obdulia Lopez, had been inside the store for more than 35 minutes. At the time, the outside temperature was 80 degrees, which can cause the inside of a vehicle to heat up quickly and pose life-threatening risks to children.
Children Released to Family Member
The South Carolina Department of Social Services (DSS) was contacted, and the children were safely released into the care of a family member. Police confirmed that none of the children needed hospitalization.
Charges and Arrest
Lopez was arrested and charged with two counts of child endangerment. She was booked into the Al Cannon Detention Center.
Police Issue Safety Reminder
North Charleston police used the incident as an opportunity to remind the public of the serious dangers of leaving children in unattended vehicles, even for a short time. On warm days, the interior of a car can become dangerously hot in minutes, leading to severe injury or even death.
This case highlights the importance of child safety both inside and outside vehicles. Leaving children unattended in cars is not only unsafe but also against the law. Thanks to quick action from witnesses and police, the children in this case were rescued without further harm—but the outcome could have been much worse.
