A mother has been arrested after allegedly leaving her toddler alone in a freezing car while she was inside a hotel.
Lillian Johnson, 38, was charged with first-degree child endangerment after police say she left her 20-month-old child inside a parked car outside a bar and hotel in Healy, Alaska.
The temperature outside was just 6°F (-14°C), and the vehicle was turned off with only a window slightly open.
A passerby heard the child crying and called 911 around 8:40 p.m. on March 18.
When paramedics arrived, they found the toddler showing early signs of hypothermia. The child was taken out of the car and treated before being transported to a fire department for further care.
Meanwhile, Johnson was nowhere to be found.
She reportedly did not leave the hotel until after paramedics had already taken the child away, according to Alaska State Police.
Surveillance footage from the hotel showed that Johnson had been inside for about 35 minutes before coming outside to check on her child.
Investigators later determined that Johnson had left her child in the car while meeting someone inside the hotel.
She was arrested and taken to Fairbanks Correctional Center. Authorities have not provided an update on the child’s condition.
Police say Johnson entered the hotel at 8:18 p.m. on Tuesday, and the child was discovered alone about 20 minutes later.
Medics from Tri Valley EMS responded and provided treatment. After failing to locate a parent or guardian, they transported the child to another facility.
Johnson finally came outside at 8:53 p.m., but by then, officials had already left with the toddler.
Hypothermia is a serious condition that happens when the body loses heat faster than it can produce it. If body temperature drops too low, it can affect brain function and movement.
Authorities say cold weather increases the risk of hypothermia, which can be dangerous because a person may not realize it is happening.