SARASOTA, FL (WWSB) - Two men are facing charges of child neglect after allegedly leaving two young children in a hot vehicle while they were passed out in the front seat.
According to the Sarasota Police Department, Paul Houle, 51 and Paul Houle III, 22, were arrested Friday, Aug. 17 after a passerby noticed the two victims and the two defendants unresponsive in their vehicle.
Officers and Sarasota Fire and Rescue responded to the 2100 block of Main Street in Sarasota and made contact with both men and both children and removed them from the vehicle.
SPD says the vehicle was parked in the sun with all four windows up and no air conditioning running inside. According to witnesses on the scene, the four individuals were inside the car for approximately 25 to 30 minutes.
The children, ages 4 and 2, were transported to Sarasota Memorial Hospital for treatment related to heat exposure.
Police say bother men were under the influence of alcohol at the time they were contacted by officers. The suspects told SPD they did not know what was going on and that the children were left in their care and are related to them.
Inside the vehicle, officers found two bottles of alcohol and an open beer.
The 22-year-old Houle was arrested and transported to the Sarasota County Jail, he is charged with two counts of Child Neglect without Great Bodily Harm.
The elder Houle is also charged with two counts of Child Neglect without Great Bodily Harm and Possession of a Controlled Substance after police found him to be in possession of Dextroamphetamine, a schedule two controlled substance.
Both children recovered were taken into the care of the Department of Children and Families.
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