Police may press charges against a father who left his 10-month-old baby in a car in blazing hot temperatures outside a hardware store in Tuggeranong.
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The baby girl was left inside the car for up to half an hour, where authorities say it could have reached temperatures of 55 degrees.
She was rescued by members of the public as her father shopped inside the Tuggeranong Bunnings store, after passers-by noticed the baby in the rear of the vehicle crying hysterically.
A rear window had been left slightly down, allowing rescuers to pull the window down further and unlock the door.
Police and ambulance officers were called to the scene, where they managed to stabilise the girl's condition before transporting her to the Canberra Hospital for observation.
A spokesperson for ACT Health said the baby girl had been discharged from hospital on Sunday.
ACT Policing Operations superintendent Kenton Turner said police may charge the father with neglect of a child, depending on the condition of his daughter.
"Depending on the state of the child... and will make a decision at a further date as to whether any charges could be laid," he said.
Child neglect charges can carry a sentence of between 12 months and two years in jail.
Superintendent Turner said members of the public went into the hardware store to find the father, who was then questioned by police.
He said the father had been unaware of the danger he had exposed his child to and was concerned about his daughter.
"He obviously now is fully aware of the dangers of leaving a 10-month old in an open car park in 37 degree heat," Superintendent Turner said.
ACT Ambulance Service acting chief officer Howard Wren said young children should never be left unattended in a vehicle.
"There is no safe circumstance when a child should be left locked in a vehicle, especially on a day like today," he said.
"The temperature was around the forecast top of 37 degrees at the time which means it could have climbed to approximately 55 degrees within minutes inside the car."
Sergeant Mark Rowswell, of ACT Policing, said anyone who saw a child or animal trapped in a hot vehicle should call Triple zero for immediate assistance from both ACT Policing and the ambulance service.
"We will gain entry to vehicles in those situations, usually by breaking a window. In this case, the members of the public were able to pull down the window and unlock the door."
Police are requesting anyone who saw the incident at Bunnings car park on Sunday afternoon, who has not already spoken to police, to get in contact via CrimeStoppers on 1800 333 000 or at www.act.crimestoppers.com.au.
