Mother Arrested for Child Endangerment

SBSO Press Release

Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s deputies responded to the Calle Real shopping center on Tuesday afternoon (6-26-07) to check the welfare of two toddlers locked in a vehicle in front of a restaurant. A passerby observed the children, then spent approximately 15 minutes trying to find the responsible parent or guardian before calling 911. Deputies arrived at approximately 1230 and found twin boys, approximately 2 years old, locked inside the vehicle. The children were restrained in car seats and appeared to be sleeping.

Sheriff’s Deputies were able to gain access to the vehicle to check the welfare of the toddlers. They appeared lethargic and were sweating. Paramedics were called and transported the children to Goleta Valley Cottage Hospital for evaluation. Sheriff’s Deputies were on scene for approximately 30 minutes when the mother of the toddlers came back to the car with her five year old daughter. Deputies determined that the toddlers were left unattended by the mother for at least forty-five minutes. Based on the temperature both inside and outside of the car, the apparent length of time the children were left alone, and the physical condition of the children, Deputies determined that the mother placed the children in a situation that could have resulted in serious bodily injury or death, and took her into custody for violation of Penal Code section 273(a); Felony Child Endangerment.

47 year old Pamela Dillman was booked into Santa Barbara County Jail and held on $100,000 bail. Both Child Welfare Services and the children’s father were notified. The children’s father took custody of the children at the hospital after they were evaluated and released.

In a study published by the Official Journal of the American Academy of Pediatrics, on average, 29 children a year die from hyperthermia nationwide. In the study, it was determined that even mild ambient temperatures can cause the interior temperature of a vehicle to reached 117°F. Regardless of the outside ambient temperature, the rate of temperature rise inside the vehicle was not significantly different. The average mean increase was 3.2°F per 5-minute interval, with 80% of the temperature rise occurring during the first 30 minutes. Cracking windows open did not decrease the rate of temperature rise in the vehicle (closed: 3.4°F per 5 minutes; opened: 3.1°F) per 5 minutes or the final maximum internal temperature.

To view the complete study, go to: http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/cgi/reprint/116/1/e109

The Sheriff’s Department urges parents and guardians to be aware of the dangers of leaving children and pets unattended in a vehicle. Leaving children unattended for even a short time can result in tragic consequences, especially in the warmer summer months.