Orem mom cited for leaving 3-year-old in hot car

OREM — A mother has been cited after her 3-year-old daughter was found screaming and sweating profusely inside a 110-degree car in Orem.

Orem Police Sgt. Craig Martinez tells KSL the woman left the girl alone in the TJ Maxx parking lot Friday afternoon.

Another shopper noticed the toddler crying and reached inside an open window to pull the girl out. Police say they went looking for the mother, who returned to the car about 20 minutes after they arrived.

Martinez says the mother was apologetic and said she intended to stop in the store for just a few minutes to use the restroom while the girl was asleep.

The temperature inside the vehicle measured 110 degrees, even though the outside temperature was about 80 and a window was down.