Man cited for leaving kids in vehicle to shop

A Birmingham father was cited by police on Saturday, February 2, for allegedly leaving two children inside his unattended vehicle while shopping inside Kroger, 685 E. Maple.

Birmingham police said officers were dispatched about 5 p.m. to the store for reports that two children were left unattended inside a vehicle. An officer located the vehicle, which was running, and saw the children sitting inside.

The children, ages 7 and 4, told the officer their father was shopping inside the store. Officers located the father, 29, inside the store. He was issued a citation for leaving unattended children in a motor vehicle.

Under Birmingham city ordinances, children under the age of eight years old shall not be left unattended in a motor vehicle. The offense is punishable by up to 90 days in jail and/or a $500 fine.

State law prohibits any person responsible for the care or welfare of a child from leaving the child unattended in a vehicle for “a period of time that poses an unreasonable risk of harm or injury to the child or under the circumstances that pose an unreasonable risk of harm or injury to the child.”