Police: Baby Locked In Hot Car

HOUSTON -- A 5-month-old girl was hospitalized after she was locked inside a vehicle in southwest Houston Tuesday, according to Houston police.

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Witnesses Describe What Happened

Investigators said around 9 a.m. the baby was left alone inside a vehicle parked at an apartment complex, located at 6233 Gulfton, while her aunt was supposed to care for her.

"The baby was left unattended in the vehicle while the aunt went into her apartment. Three to four hours later, the aunt remembered that the baby was left in the car. She yelled out for her husband to go check the baby in the car," said David Vasquez, with the Houston Police Department.

Police said that the husband found the baby still inside the car, strapped in her car seat at 1:30 p.m.

Neighbors were shocked when they realized what happened.

"We were all in tears. My daughter was screaming, 'Do something. Do something,'" said Sandra Carranza, the apartment manager. "That little baby had no life in her. She was just having seizures and she was turning purple."

Carranza and other bystanders tried to help the baby until paramedics arrived.

The baby was first taken to Memorial Hermann Southwest Hospital and then transferred to Texas Children's Hospital where she is listed in critical condition.

Officials said the baby was unconscious with a body temperature of 107.5 degrees when she arrived at the hospital.

"The baby is waking up. She was put on a respirator and I have a feeling that she's going to do very well," said Dr. Victor Areliano, with Memorial Hermann Southwest Hospital.

Houston police were called to the scene and questioned the baby's aunt and mother.

"The mother was not at the scene at the time the incident occurred. She was at work," Vasquez said.

There's no word if charges will be filed.