Tampa Police: Woman Left Child in Locked Car on Hot Day

Tampa Police arrested a 56-year-old woman on Sunday after a witness reported seeing her leave a child in a locked car on a hot day, according to a news release.

Police said Patricia Strickland of 3122 W. Paris St. left a 5-year-old boy inside her locked vehicle with the windows rolled up and the engine off in 93-degree weather. The boy, a relative, was left unattended for approximately 50 minutes while Strickland shopped inside the Publix at 2724 W. Hillsborough Ave.

A witness saw the child inside the vehicle and called the police. When the officers arrived they found the woman holding the child outside of the car. The child's mother came to the parking lot.

Police said the boy did not suffer any great bodily harm but he was taken to St. Joseph's Hospital for further observation.

Strickland was arrested at 6:21 p.m.  She was released Monday afternoon from Orient Road Jail after posting $2,000 bond.