Mother Locks 2-Year-Old in Hot Car to Watch Movie

An 18-year-old woman from Utah was arrested after she reportedly left her crying 2-year-old daughter in a hot vehicle so she could enjoy watching a movie without interruption. The incident occurred in Lake City, Utah, during a summer day with temperatures soaring to 94°F, feeling like 107°F.

Tripura Merriex took her distressed daughter out of a show at the Regal Cinema and then placed her inside a 2002 Cadillac Escalade. Police responded after witnesses noticed the child was sweating and crying in the sweltering car. Officers broke a window to rescue her, finding her in obvious distress.

According to reports, Merriex later exited the theater behaving indifferently, as if unaware of the gravity of her actions. Witnesses indicated she intentionally left her daughter in the vehicle and even sent her siblings to check on the child while she continued to watch the movie from inside the theater.

The mother was charged with felony child neglect and is currently detained in Columbia County Jail. Fortunately, the child has recovered from the ordeal and is reported to be doing well.