Florida Deputy's Heroic Rescue of Toddler from Locked Vehicle

A quick-thinking Florida deputy shattered a car window to save a one-year-old toddler accidentally locked inside a parked vehicle. The incident, captured on bodycam footage, highlights the dangers of leaving children unattended in cars, even for a short period.

**Palm Coast, Florida** - A heroic Florida deputy shattered a car window on May 20, 2024, rescuing a one-year-old toddler accidentally locked inside a parked vehicle with its engine off and all windows closed. Deputy Christian Harrison's swift actions saved the child from potential heatstroke, which can occur rapidly even on days that don't feel excessively hot.

According to the Flagler County Sheriff's Office (FCSO), deputies responded to a Palm Coast Walmart around 5 p.m. after receiving a call about a child trapped in a car. Upon arrival, they found a man and woman standing outside a Nissan Altima, frantically trying to free the child. The father explained that he had placed the toddler in the car and gone around to the other side before realizing the door was locked, with the keys inside.

The man and woman told deputies that the child had been in the car for eight to 10 minutes before help arrived. Bodycam footage showed the child "sweating and appearing to be in distress." Deputy Harrison immediately assessed the situation and determined that the window needed to be broken to get the child out of the car.

Despite the mother's pleas, Deputy Harrison shattered the passenger's back window using agency-issued shatter balls. He then cleared away the remaining glass with his collapsible baton and retrieved the child, who was assessed by fire department paramedics and found to be in good condition.

"Although this was an accident, I would like to take this time to remind parents of the dangers of leaving a child in a parked car at any time, especially if it is not running," said Sheriff Rick Staly in a department Facebook post. "Heatstroke can happen very quickly, even if it does not seem that hot outside. Remember, if it has a heartbeat, do not leave them in your car."

While on the scene, the man received a criminal uniform traffic citation for attaching an unassigned tag/registration decal. However, this citation was unrelated to the child being locked in the car, according to FCSO.

The incident emphasizes the importance of exercising extreme caution when it comes to children and vehicles. Never leave a child unattended in a car, even for a few minutes. Temperatures inside a parked car can rise rapidly, leading to potential health risks. If you witness a child or pet trapped in a vehicle, do not hesitate to call 911 immediately.