UPDATE: An Arizona father has been sentenced after leaving his four young children in a sweltering car that reached a deadly 124 degrees while he shopped for adult content. Ascencio Largo, aged 38, has been in jail for four months and will serve 10 years of probation following his arrest in July.
Authorities confirmed that Largo was apprehended on eight felony counts after police found his children, all under the age of 10, trapped in a locked vehicle on a dangerously hot day. Officers responded to a 911 call that reported the alarming situation. Body camera footage from the Phoenix Police Department captured an officer asking the children, “Where’s mom or dad?” as they struggled in the oppressive heat.
Largo’s visit to The Adult Shoppe located on South 24th Street in the Crestwood neighborhood of Phoenix raised serious concerns about his judgment. He allegedly left the children in the car for over an hour, seemingly oblivious to their peril.
The police report details the harrowing scene: “The car was turned off and the windows were rolled up,” creating a suffocating environment for the children. Officers acted swiftly to rescue them, immediately providing water and transporting them to a marked patrol vehicle equipped with air conditioning.
Witnesses described the children as visibly distressed, with each sweating profusely and having red, hot skin. Their internal body temperatures ranged from 99.7°F to 100.4°F, prompting immediate medical attention. The prosecutor emphasized in court that the children were “in imminent danger of death,” highlighting the reckless nature of Largo’s actions.
During his first courtroom appearance, the judge expressed disbelief over the situation, stating, “You could have exited that store to a car full of your dead children.” This shocking statement underscores the gravity of the case, which has drawn significant public attention.
Largo, appearing intoxicated at the time of his arrest, initially denied ownership of the vehicle but soon realized the gravity of the situation when confronted by officers. He eventually admitted he had gone to “get some supplies,” but the timeline of his actions raises critical questions about his responsibility as a parent.
Police records indicate that Largo had ignored store employee announcements about the children left in the vehicle, further demonstrating a lack of concern for their safety. Fortunately, all four children survived the ordeal, but the incident has sparked outrage and calls for stricter measures to protect vulnerable children.
As this case unfolds, officials urge the public to remain vigilant and report any signs of neglect or dangerous situations involving children. The community is now left to grapple with the implications of this case and what measures can be taken to prevent similar incidents in the future.
Stay tuned for further developments on this urgent story.
