Mother of baby left in hot car faces several charges

The mother of a baby boy found in a locked car in sweltering 30degC plus heat near Gisborne may be charged with assaulting the boy's rescuer and obstructing police.

Senior Sergeant Maui Aben said the rescuer who broke into the car at Makarori Beach on Saturday to take out the nine-month-old baby was an off-duty ambulance officer.

The mother may also be charged with failing to provide the necessaries of life.

Mr Aben said charges were still pending.

He could not give other information about what police believed happened at the beach to make them consider laying the three charges.

Police believe the boy had been left in the car for more than an hour.

He was unconscious when he was pulled out of the car, but was released from Gisborne Hospital on Sunday.

- NZPA