FL Grandma Charged with Child Neglect After Finding 2-Year-Old Locked in Hot Car

VOLUSIA COUNTY, Fla. — A Florida grandmother has been charged with neglect after her 2-year-old child was found locked in a hot car Tuesday (July 2).

According to the Volusia County Sheriff’s Office, the car was parked in full sun with no shade, the engine was not running and the windows were cracked. The outside temperature at the time was 91 degrees and the heat index was 101 degrees.

The child was found in a car parked in the parking lot of a Publix in Ormond Beach and reportedly “appeared lethargic.”

The Publix manager reached inside to unlock the car and took the child into the store to cool off.

The grandmother, later identified as 63-year-old Elena Grady, took custody of the child and left the store.

Grady was later located and charged with child neglect. She was taken to the Volusia County Branch Jail where she was booked and released overnight.

Police want to remind the public not to leave children, pets and vulnerable adults in hot cars, even for a few minutes, to avoid tragedy.