Two kids left in car sent to hospital

FARMINGTON, N.M. (KRQE) - A 1-year-old boy is in serious condition one day after Farmington police say his mother left him and his 3-year-old sister in a car for more than three hours.

Detectives said they were called to a home on Desert Rose Trail in Farmington just after noon on Tuesday. When they arrived they found the little boy unconscious.

“It is definitely criminal,” said Sgt. Robert Perez.

Perez said the boy’s mother, Mary Passey, 20, was visiting a friend at the home, and she went inside but left her two kids in the car.

“She spent more time inside than she really realized," Perez said. "She fell asleep apparently at some point, and then came back out to check on the kids around noon."

A man who lives in the home said it was around that time that he heard Passey start screaming. He told News 13 she brought the kids in the house. He did not want to be identified, but he said he called 911 as Passey started CPR on the little boy.

“At this point his recovery is still questionable,” Perez said.

Both kids were taken to San Juan Regional Medical Center. The little boy was then flown to University of New Mexico Hospital in Albuquerque where he remains in serious condition. The little girl was treated and released.

Perez said the kids had been left buckled in with the windows rolled completely up for more than three hours. He said when detectives arrived they took the internal temperature of the car and it read more than 120 degrees.

Passey has not been charged with anything at this point, but Perez said that could change soon.

“We’re looking at all the evidence, speaking with her and family members to determine what the course of action will be regarding criminal charges,” he said.

This is Farmington’s first case this year of a child left in a car. Perez said drugs and alcohol do not appear to be a factor. He also said they haven’t had any dealings with Passey before this incident.