Maryland man left son in minivan in Upper Darby, police say

CrimeA Montgomery Village, Md., father dropped his wife off at the shops along 69th street in Upper Darby this weekend, parked, and left his 14-month-old son sleeping in the back, police said.

Amir Chaudhery, 32, who was visiting family in Delaware County, accidentally locked his son in his Toyota minivan for more than 30 minutes as temperatures reached the low 70s.

“It boggles my mind,” said Michael Chitwood, Upper Darby Police superintendent.

Two passersby heard the baby’s screams and alerted a nearby parking enforcement officer who then dialed 9-1-1.

Just as police prepared to smash the windows, Chaudhery saw the commotion and ran to the scene.

The baby was found doused in sweat and was hot to the touch. The good samaritans provided an ice pack from a first aid kit and stuck it t0 the back of the baby’s neck. The baby was treated at Delaware County Memorial Hospital for a racing heart.

Chitwood called it “irresponsible,” and charged the man with endangering the welfare of a child, among others.He added that while he doesn’t believe the baby was left on purpose, it still rubs him the wrong way.

“I can see leaving packages, I can see leaving a ring, I can see leaving shoes in the car, I can see leaving your wife in the car,” he said. “But I cannot for the life of me see leaving the child in the car.”

In his career, Chitwood said, he’s seen this happen a half a dozen times.

“You see people who go gambling and leave the baby in the car or go drinking and leave the baby in the car,” he said. “Makes no sense.