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A young mother has been found guilty of not taking reasonable care of her baby daughter after leaving her in a locked car in a supermarket carpark on a 26C Christchurch day.
A police constable smashed the car window to get the baby out, and the six-month-old girl made a quick recovery once outside the vehicle.
In Christchurch District Court yesterday, Yun Xie, a 26-year-old restaurant manager, pleaded not guilty to a charge of leaving the child in a locked car without reasonable care and supervision, the Christchurch Court News website reported.
But Judge Jane Farish found the charge proved. She deferred sentencing until March 31, to give Xie a chance to attend a parenting course, and may then discharge her without conviction.
Defence lawyer Richard McGuire said a conviction could affect her immigration status.
Constable Courtney Sandilands said police had been called to the car, which was parked in the sun. The windows were down 2cm to 3cm but she could not get her hand inside to unlock a door and release the baby girl, who was flushed, crying and had hair soaked with sweat.
Her partner tried to find the car owner inside the supermarket, but after a few minutes she checked with her supervisor, smashed the window and got the infant out because she was concerned for her welfare.
The baby was crying, and soaked all over with sweat.
Xie told the court she had left the babysitter to take care of the sleeping child in the car. The babysitter has returned to China and did not give evidence.
- NZPA
