Mother Accused of Leaving Children in Hot Car

BEMIDJI  (AP) - A 21-year-old woman is facing criminal charges in Beltrami County after her four children were left in a sweltering car in a Target parking lot.

A criminal complaint says Bianca Hazelrigg went shopping for swimsuits while the children were left in the car with the windows rolled up last Saturday. The outside temperature was 88 degrees at the time.

Someone who spotted the children called police. Officer found two 2-year-olds and a 4-year-old inside the car, while a 7-year-old was playing outside the vehicle. Court documents say Hazelrigg was in the store about 30 minutes.

Hazelrigg appeared in court Tuesday afternoon when she told the judge through tears that she would never harm her children. They have been placed in protective custody.

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