Mom arrested after leaving 20-month-old daughter in hot car while she visits inmate

A mom has been arrested for leaving her 20-year-old daughter in a hot car while she visited an inmate in jail. Rachel Etienne, 21, left her kid outside Florida’s Orange County Jail in the vehicle where temperatures were between 90 and 100F on Sunday.



The child was found by a worker who was cleaning up the surrounding area. At first, Etienne claimed she had also left a 14-year-old inside the car to look after the child, but surveillance footage proved that to be a lie. The youngster was found drenched in sweat. It was established that she had been alone for nearly 20 minutes. Deputy Ingrid Tejada-Monforte said the child has been placed in the care of a relative by the Florida Department of Children and Families. Etienne was arrested and charged with aggravated child abuse.

She left jail after posting bail. Authorities said she appeared remorseful. It is not known who she was visiting in jail.

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