00:00That's right, Fritzen Charles is now facing multiple charges after leaving those two young children unattended in a car with
00:07the windows up and the engine off.
00:09It's situations like this that have now triggered a new state law that's aimed at protecting first responders who deal
00:16with those situations.
00:18There's a state law that passed that provides us immunity from liability if a first responder is called to a
00:26vehicle where a child or a pet is locked inside.
00:28And in imminent danger, the Peters Township Fire Chief tells me legally you cannot leave a child under the age
00:34of six alone in a car no matter the temperature, but leaving children alone when in the summertime can be
00:40severely consequential.
00:42This was the case Sunday in the Walmart parking lot in South Spain when officers were called to the scene
00:47of a nine-month-old and three-year-old left unattended in a hot car.
00:51That three-year-old was found unresponsive at the scene.
00:53They were both transported to UPMC Washington where they were treated and released that night.
00:59At this time, police are unsure of the suspect, Fritzen Charles' relation to the young children, but they do say
01:04he was not their father.
01:06We've also learned tonight that Charles is currently in the custody of the Department of Homeland Security and is awaiting
01:11removal proceedings.
01:12It's unknown at this time what charges he's facing and even if he'll stand trial for the charges of endangering
01:18the welfare of children, leaving a child unattended in a vehicle and reckless endangerment in Washington County.
01:24Chief McLaughlin saying it's these situations that he's glad first responders can now step into action immediately without hesitation because
01:32of a new law.
01:33But in these times where there's an obvious time factor that you're going against, you need to act quickly and
01:39to be able to have the assurance from the state that we're not going to be in legal trouble, it's
01:44a big deal.
01:45I'm told that last year nationwide, 39 children died of a heat stroke while being left unattended in a car.
01:54Covering Washington County in Peters Township, Yasmin Rodriguez, Pittsburgh's Action News 4.
02:03Covering Washington County in Petersen, Pittsburgh's Action News 4.
