Carnegie mom accused of leaving 3 kids in car on 84 degree day

CARNEGIE, Pa. — A mother of three from the Pittsburgh area is facing charges after leaving her children alone in a hot car.

According to police, Martina Searcy, 22, of Carnegie left the 4-year-old, 5-year-old and 7-month-old kids in the car with the windows barely cracked on an 84-degree day.

The car was in the Walmart parking lot in Scott Township on May 23.

Police said Searcy came outside after officers opened the car doors to give the children some air. They said the children were in the car for about 11 minutes.

Authorities said Searcy told the officers she ran inside to cash a check and that the children were sleeping when she left them.

Scott Township police Sgt. Jeff Skees said one child, who was found unconscious, was taken to the hospital by ambulance to be treated for dehydration.

Lacell Benjamin, Searcy’s boyfriend, said the situation is misunderstood.

“She’s a good mother,” Benjamin said. “She was just dropping a DVD in the RedBox, but they blew it up like she was in there shopping, getting food and getting clothes. She really wasn’t. She was in there for two seconds.”

Skees said surveillance video showed Searcy walking in at 6:13 p.m. and walking out at 6:24 p.m.

Police said Child and Youth Services were notified, but they left the kids in Searcy’s custody.

Searcy is charged with three counts of child endangerment.

WPXI