On June 17, 2025, the Corona Fire Department and local police responded to a critical incident involving a 3-month-old infant left unattended in a hot car. The event unfolded around 5:32 p.m. when a bystander observed the child inside the vehicle and promptly called 911. According to police estimates, the infant could have been stuck for at least 10 to 15 minutes before rescue arrived.
In this case, the Corona Police Department moved quickly. Somehow, they managed to get the child out of the vehicle in less than four minutes after arriving on scene. After the rescue, first responders rushed the child to SWH Corona Regional Medical Center for treatment. Later, that same child was sent to Children’s Hospital of Orange County, where they stayed overnight under observation. Fortunately, news accounts say the infant was “unharmed,” at least according to Robert Montanez, the good Samaritan who put police on the alert.
The Dangers of Leaving Children Unattended
Dan Yonan, a public information officer for the Corona Fire Department, emphasized the rapidity with which car temperatures can escalate. He said a child could succumb to the heat of a closed car in a “short amount of time… very quickly.” In the Southern California region, temperatures can reach up to 100 degrees. In the searing heat, temps can become fatal in under one minute when locked inside a vehicle.
Yonan implored parents and caregivers to always remember to keep kids from being left behind in cars. This event serves as a tragic and painful wake up call to the risks that are present. He mentioned that the Richmond fire department has historically answered calls for a long time. These calls frequently include people or pets stranded in sweltering cars.
“If we are, like we are here in Southern California, up to 100 degrees or around 100 degrees, it’s a matter of likely less than a minute where the temperatures rise very quickly,” – Dan Yonan
To avoid similar tragedies happening again, Yonan suggested adopting practices like the “look before you lock” system. This routine will help ensure that parents and caregivers look in their back seat before leaving their vehicle to make sure no child is forgotten there.
Community Awareness and Prevention Strategies
Amber Rollins of Kids and Car Safety told us how important community awareness is. She continued to emphasize the need for clear communication given the circumstances of this incident. She recommended that caregivers set up explicit practices with daycare centers and relatives for drop-off and pick-up exchanges. This helps to ensure that if a child does not show up as expected there is prompt notification.
“If you take your child to day care or anyone — a family member that watches them, whoever it is — you want to make a policy with them. They would call you immediately if your child didn’t show up as scheduled,” – Amber Rollins
Rollins further underscored that a single phone call might be the difference between safety and danger for thousands of children. She emphasized the importance for caregivers to educate kids on how to respond in an emergency.
“Teach them how to get out of their seat belt, teach them how to unlock the door and open the door, and also teach them how to honk the horn in the event that they were to get locked in,” – Dan Yonan
The Role of Bystanders and Emergency Response
The timely response of bystanders and emergency services helped to rescue the child and keep her safe. Montanez’s quick thinking and decisive action in reporting the situation potentially saved the child’s life.
The police department has since released body camera footage of the rescue operation to highlight the urgency of such situations and raise awareness about child safety in vehicles. The video teaches the public to identify the symptoms of children in distress from an overheated car. It underscores the need to act quickly.
Communities are grappling with tragic consequences of children being left alone in cars. To really confront this issue, we need to ramp up awareness campaigns and preventive measures.
