NAUGATUCK, Conn. (WFSB) — A 30-year-old mother was arrested in Naugatuck on Wednesday after police found her two children — including a 1-month-old infant — locked in a hot car outside a Walmart.
According to the Naugatuck Police Department, officers responded to the scene after reports that a car alarm was sounding and an 8-year-old child inside was attempting to escape. Inside the vehicle, police discovered the two children crying and covered in sweat. Both were transported to the hospital for evaluation.
Moments later, Talita Sonia De Carvalho Silva walked out of the store and approached the vehicle. She was immediately arrested and is facing the following charges:
Two counts of risk of injury to a minor
Two counts of reckless endangerment
Two counts of leaving a child under 12 unsupervised in a vehicle
Silva was released on a $10,000 bond and is scheduled to appear in Waterbury Superior Court on July 9.
In a public statement, Naugatuck Police emphasized the dangers of leaving children in parked vehicles, even on seemingly mild days.
“A child’s body heats up 3–5 times faster than an adult’s, and heatstroke can happen quickly,” police warned.
They also shared important safety tips:
Always check the back seat before leaving the car
Take your child with you, even for short errands
Lock your car when parked to prevent children from climbing inside
Call 911 if you see a child alone in a vehicle
Authorities are urging the public to remain vigilant and act swiftly if they suspect a child is in danger.
