A mother was arrested on suspicion of DUI and child endangerment after allegedly locking her three children in a hot car on Monday in Simi Valley.
Officers responded to a disturbance call at Grand American Tires in the 1800 block of East Los Angeles Avenue (map) about 3:40 p.m. and located the woman described in the report at a nearby animal hospital, according to a news release from the Simi Valley Police Department.
While checking on the woman, officers were informed that there were three small children locked in a car across the street, according to the news release.
The car had all the windows rolled up and there was no air conditioning because the car was not running, police stated.
The children had apparently been locked in the car for at least 20 minutes and were showing signs of heat distress, according to authorities.
Police eventually forced their way into the car to get the children, who taken to a nearby hospital for evaluation.
Their mother, later identified as Amanda Woodruff, 28, of Simi Valley, was arrested at the scene on suspicion of DUI and Felony Child Endangerment, according to the news release.
The children were OK and later released to a relative, police stated.
Children’s Protective Services were also notified.