In a dramatic rescue caught on bodycam footage, a Florida sheriff’s deputy saved a 1-year-old baby from a life-threatening situation after being left locked inside a hot car in a parking lot. The incident occurred in Bunnell, Florida, and has since drawn widespread attention for both the deputy’s swift heroism and the disturbing reminder of how quickly heat can turn deadly.
According to the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office, deputies were dispatched to a shopping center parking lot around 3:15 p.m. after a frantic passerby noticed a small child inside a locked vehicle under the blazing sun. The temperature outside at the time was reported to be 95°F (35°C) — but inside the car, it was estimated to exceed 120°F (49°C).
When Deputy Kyle Moore arrived, his bodycam captured the urgency of the moment. The footage shows him running up to the car, where the child could be seen strapped in a car seat, sweating profusely and crying weakly. With the doors locked and no adult in sight, Moore wasted no time.
“I don’t care whose car it is, I’m breaking the window,” Moore can be heard saying before striking the rear passenger window with his baton.
Within seconds, he shattered the glass, reached in, and carefully pulled the crying toddler to safety. Bystanders gathered around, offering water and shade while deputies checked the child’s condition.
Paramedics arrived shortly after and treated the child for heat exhaustion, confirming that the rescue likely prevented a tragedy. Sheriff Rick Staly praised the deputy’s decisive actions, saying:
“Deputy Moore’s quick thinking and refusal to hesitate absolutely saved this child’s life. In these temperatures, every minute counts.”
Authorities later located the child’s mother, who told deputies she had “only gone into the store for a few minutes.” However, surveillance footage revealed that she had been inside for nearly 30 minutes. She was arrested and charged with child neglect.
Experts warn that even a few minutes in a closed car can be fatal for a child. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports that on a 90-degree day, a vehicle’s interior can reach deadly temperatures within 10 minutes — and cracking a window offers little to no protection.
“Children’s bodies heat up three to five times faster than adults’,” explained pediatric emergency physician Dr. Angela Reeves. “Leaving a child unattended in a car, even briefly, can turn deadly faster than most people realize.”
The rescued toddler has since been released from the hospital and is in the care of child protective services. Meanwhile, the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office released the footage publicly to raise awareness about the dangers of hot cars.
The sheriff concluded his statement with a powerful reminder:
“If you see a child or pet locked in a vehicle, don’t wait — call 911 or take action. Seconds can be the difference between life and death.”
This close call serves as a chilling but vital warning — and a story of how one deputy’s bravery and quick judgment prevented a tragedy.
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