RACINE, Wis. — A Racine woman is accused of leaving her 3-year-old grandson in a hot vehicle while she shopped at the Dollar Tree, with temperatures in the 90s.
The criminal complaint describes that first responders had to break the window in order to get him out, and when he was finally free he “was limp and very warm to the touch.” He was rushed to the hospital, but has since been released.
Court records say police arrested 55-year-old Sharon Hickmon for neglecting her grandson.
The complaint explains that when Hickmon arrived at the hospital she started “shouting at rescue staff” for “breaking her vehicle window.” She also told officers she knew she left her grandson in the car.
When asked what she thought the temperature was at the time of the call, Hickmon said it was 80 degrees. It actually was 91 degrees and an “excessive heat warning” was in effect for the area, according to the criminal complaint.
Hickmon now faces charges of misdemeanor child neglect. She appeared in Racine County Circuit Court Monday when a signature bond was set.
A preliminary hearing is scheduled Sept. 23.
The Associated Press contributed to this story.
