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Sheriff's Officer Rescues Crying Child From Hot Van In New Jersey

HACKENSACK, N.J. (CBS) — Officials say two Bergen County sheriff's officers likely helped save a toddler's life after she was discovered in an unattended vehicle under extreme heat conditions.

Authorities say Sheriff Officer Rich Carrion was directing traffic at an intersection when he was alerted by the store manager of Costco that a child was found alone in a vehicle in the parking lot.

Officer Carrion observed the toddler crying and sweating profusely, authorities said.

In a video posted to YouTube by Rafael Rodriguez II, a crowd gathered around the van where the toddler could be heard crying.

One person asked, "Is the baby okay?" As another onlooker questioned, "Where is the mother? Where are the parents?"

 

Officials say Officer Carrion used his baton to shatter the window of the vehicle and get to the toddler.

With the assistance of Officer Bekier, the child was removed from the vehicle and provided care for dehydration.

The officer commented once the toddler was out, "She is soaking wet."

The mother, identified by authorities as Chaeyoung Lim-Kim, later walked up to the vehicle with another child seated in the shopping cart.

Lim-Kim was heard saying, "Sorry, sorry, sorry," as authorities tell her, "She could've died."

Authorities say Lim-Kim, who allegedly left the toddler in the car, was taken into custody and charged with endangering the welfare of a minor.

Officials say the child was released to her father.

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