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Police: Mom Left Toddler In Car To Go Tan

Woman Charged With Child Abuse, Neglect

POSTED: 12:08 pm CDT May 13, 2008
UPDATED: 12:18 am CDT May 14, 2008

A Clarksville mother is charged with leaving her 2-year-old daughter in a locked car while she went into a salon to tan.

Video: Police: Child Found Screaming In Car While Mom Tans

According to police, Gina Michelle Moore left her toddler in the car for about 30 minutes on Monday.

Express Tan customer Amy Hartsgrove said she normally takes about 12 to 15 minutes when she goes to the salon to tan.

"Well, I have a 5-year-old, and when I tan, he's in school or day care. So, somebody should watch your child so you can tan. It's almost a little selfish, so you can get a tan, you leave your kid in the car. That's just crazy," Hartsgrove said.

According to the police report, the child was screaming and crying and was belted in her car seat.

New mother Allison Colley said the scenario is hard to imagine.

"It gets hot fast these days especially right here during the summer and just when you open the door it's hot and cooking in there," she said.

Police said leaving children alone in a car is never a good idea.

"Anything could have happened to the child. The child could have died in the car. Someone could have abducted the child. I mean, anything’s possible. Luckily, nothing bad happened. But with the weather getting warmer, I mean, we even advise people not to leave animals in the car. So you really shouldn’t leave a child," said Clarksville police Sgt. Cheryl Anderson.

The child was fine and was placed in Department of Children's Services custody.

Moore was charged with aggravated child abuse and neglect.

Only 12 states have laws that protect children left unattended in cars, and Tennessee is one of them. The law took effect in July.


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