2017-40023 – On July 7th at 4:03 p.m., officers responded to a report of
four children left inside a vehicle in the Joe V’s parking lot. Upon arrival,
at 4:10 p.m., officers and fire department personnel located the vehicle
and found it was not running with the windows up, with the exception of
one window which was slightly rolled down. Inside the vehicle were four
children, ages 1, 3, 6 and 9 years old. When found, the children inside were
sweating profusely and the 1 year old was crying. Luckily the doors of the
vehicle were unlocked and the citizen who had called was able to provide the
children with water. A short time after officers arrived the mother of the children,
identified as 30 year old Adriana Aranda, exited the store at which time officers
contacted her. Ms. Aranda appeared to have been inside the store shopping
based on the grocery bags she had. Officers were able to review store video
and learn that she had actually been inside the store for approximately 20 minutes.
Officers checked the outside temperature and it was determined to be 91 degrees.
Fire Department personnel checked the temperature inside the vehicle and it was
found to be approximately 120 degrees. This was after the doors had been opened
and the children removed, which would have allowed the vehicle to cool some. Ms.
Aranda was placed under arrest and transported to the Baytown Jail where she was
booked on Felony charges of Child Endangerment. The children were turned over to
the father, who had arrived on scene. CPS was notified of the incident, as is
standard in cases of this nature. Mug shot attached.
Det. Luzette S. Watkins #117
Investigations/Media Relations
Baytown Police Department
3200 N. Main Street
Baytown, TX 77521
281-422-8371 – Main
281-420-6635 – Office