A Columbus man is in jail after allegedly locking a disabled child in a vehicle.
Officers with the Columbus Police Department arrested Brandon Windham, 31, Friday on an outstanding warrant for felony child abuse, according to a CPD press release. Three days before, police had been called to the 1700 block of 12th Avenue North after witnesses reported Windham left a disabled child between the ages of 6 and 10 in a vehicle.
The vehicle’s windows were rolled up and the doors locked, and the child could not get out because of her medical condition, the press release said.
Officers rescued the child from the vehicle using an unlock kit to open the door. At that point, the girl had been in the car for about 15 to 20 minutes, Capt. Brent Swan said.
“The child was still alert when we got there,” said CPD Assistant Chief Fred Shelton. “But … any longer and there probably would have been serious injury.”
The child was taken to Baptist Memorial Hospital-Golden Triangle where medical professionals checked her, Shelton said, but she was not hurt.
National Weather Service reported the heat index was about 90 degrees on Tuesday, Shelton said.
Windham is still in custody. His bond has not yet been set.
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