Daijiworld Media Network – Florida

Florida, Jul 23: An 18-year-old Florida mother has been arrested after locking her infant daughter in a scorching car while she watched a Smurfs movie with her siblings at Regal Cinema 90 on US Highway 90.

Lake Police officers responded to a distress call from the theatre around 5:49 pm and found the baby inside a vehicle, crying and drenched in sweat. According to the police, the outside temperature at the time was 34.4°C, with a heat index reaching 41.7°C. The child was immediately taken to Lake City Medical Center for treatment.

The mother, Tripura Merriex, admitted to authorities that her baby’s crying had disturbed other moviegoers, prompting her to leave the child in the car. Initially, she stepped out intermittently to check on her, but later asked her siblings to do so.

Cinema staff told officers that Merriex appeared visibly irritated with the child’s constant crying. Police noted that other family members began taking turns checking on the baby, but the situation remained dangerous.

Merriex’s husband told investigators that she has a pattern of making impulsive decisions and struggles with parenting-related stress, often lacking the patience needed to care for their daughter.

Lake City Police Chief Gerald Butler praised the swift action of his officers. “Leaving a child unattended in a vehicle under these conditions is unacceptable. We are thankful the child is safe and urge all parents to prioritise the well-being of their children at all times,” he said.

Merriex is currently in custody at Columbia County Jail, with bond set at $50,000.