ISLAND HEIGHTS – After a mom accidentally left her keys inside, a local officer came to the rescue saving a child from a locked, hot car.
On July 12, Patrolman Mellott of the Island Heights Police Department responded to River Ave. regarding a child locked inside a car. When he arrived on the scene, he met a frantic mother who explained that she accidentally left her keys inside the car after securing her child in the car seat. She realized she left the keys inside when she tried to open the driver door and saw it was locked.
Immediately, Mellott called for first aid as a precaution as well as a tow truck to bring a lock out kit for the car.
Although as time went by, Mellott saw the child start to sweat and from experience knew the child could be in grave danger from the heat. After getting consent from the mother, Mellott quickly broke the window and freed the child from the hot car. First aid arrived shortly after to take a look and clear the child of any medical issues, police said.
While Mellott successfully rescued the child from the car, he proceeded to go above and beyond after hearing about the mother’s financial difficulties and the challenge of replacing the window.
After speaking with the mother again, Mellot made arrangements to pay for her window without hesitation.
Thanks to the Island Heights PBA and the Island Heights First Aid squad, they donated enough funds to help cover the costs of a new window.
