Mother charged over son left in van

8/5/2006

A 20-year-old woman was arrested yesterday after leaving her infant son in a van in the parking lot of a Wal-Mart store in South Toledo, police said.

Cynthia L. Wright, of 1019 Dorr St., who was charged with child endangerment, was booked into the Lucas County jail and then released pending an appearance Monday in Toledo Municipal Court.

Dana Wilson was walking in the parking lot of the store, 2925 Glendale Ave., about 10:15 a.m. when she heard a baby crying from inside the locked van. It was about 74 degrees outside at the time, according to the National Weather Service.

Ms. Wilson noticed the driver's side window was down enough for a hand to reach in and unlock the door. She opened the door and took the baby in the store, police said.

Rescue crews arrived and noticed the 2-month-old child, Jeremiah Wright, was warm, had shallow breathing, and was unresponsive.

He was taken to St. Vincent Mercy Medical Center and later released to a grandmother.

Police had store personnel request that Ms. Wright come to the front of the store, where they questioned her.

Police said Ms. Wright told them, "I left the baby in the car. It was only about 20 minutes, and I forgot he was in there because he was so quiet."

Lucas County Children Services was notified of the incident.