A mother who left her 4-month-old daughter in a hot car with the windows rolled up a year ago in National City pleaded guilty to felony child endangerment.
Starley Geart, 26, appeared before Chula Vista Superior Court Judge Ana Espana on Aug. 7 and sentencing was set for Nov. 5. She remains free on $100,000 bond.
Deputy District Attorney Harrison Kennedy said the maximum term is one year in jail and she will be placed on probation with certain conditions. She initially lost custody of her daughter, but later regained it.
The incident took place on July 24, 2012, at a shopping center on East Plaza Boulevard. Several people alerted National City Police, and officers pulled the infant from the car. She was unconscious and sweating and treated at Rady Children’s Hospital. She has recovered.
Geart was in a clothing store shopping when she left her daughter in the car. She told police she was only in the store a few minutes. Witnesses estimated the girl was strapped in a car seat for at least seven minutes.
Leaving children or pets in cars with the windows rolled up is dangerous. An El Cajon couple last week was arrested and charged with child endangerment after they left their infant son overnight in a car and he died.
