SUNRISE, Fla. — A Sunrise woman is facing child neglect charges after police said she left three children unattended in a car parked outside a Walmart this past weekend.
Local 10 News obtained exclusive body camera Wednesday showing officers arriving at the scene Sunday and speaking with the mother, who Sunrise police identified as 29-year-old Ciara Sementhia Washington, before she was taken into custody.
The incident occurred around 3:45 p.m. at the Walmart at 12555 West Sunrise Blvd., according to an arrest report.
Police said a man called 911 after discovering the children inside a gray Nissan Sentra with the engine off, windows rolled up, and no air conditioning.
“One on the floor, another somehow in the trunk of the car,” the report noted.
Police said witnesses told them that one child was 7 years old, while the other two were likely under 2.
One witness told police he saw the children alone in the car and opened the door along with another passerby after hearing a faint knock. The children were drenched in sweat and visibly overheated, according to the report.
Police said security video showed Washington entering the store with a friend at 3:07 p.m. and leaving at 3:46 p.m.
A responding officer in the body cam video told Washington, “Mom to mom, this just can’t happen,” emphasizing the danger of leaving children alone in hot cars in South Florida.
Video shows Washington apologizing repeatedly while officers tried to ensure the children’s safety and locate their guardian.
“I don’t want to hurt you,” one officer said as she handcuffed her.
Sunrise Fire Rescue responded to the scene shortly after 3:32 p.m., and authorities noted the outside temperature was 82 degrees at the time.
Authorities said Washington later made a confession that was redacted in the publicly-released report.
Jail records show she was booked on three counts of child neglect and was no longer listed as an inmate on the Broward Corrections website as of Wednesday afternoon.
Copyright 2025 by WPLG Local10.com - All rights reserved.
