Macy’s security guard, admitted gang member, arrested for leaving child in hot car while he worked
MINEOLA NY July 31 2018
A Long Island father is accused of leaving his 2-year-old son in the back seat of a hot car while he went to work at Roosevelt Field Mall.
The incident happened around 11:30 a.m. Sunday. Police say they received a 911 call was about a child left alone in a parked vehicle on the second level parking lot by Macy’s, where the father works as a security guard.
A NCPD Mounted Unit officer saw the child strapped into a car seat in the rear passenger area of the vehicle. It was 81 degrees on Sunday.
Officials say the officer was able to help the child through an open window and unlocked door. They say the 2-year-old was sweating profusely and was hot to touch, then began to cry.
Police say 26-year-old Kaliym Rodriguez, of Roosevelt, returned to his vehicle approximately an hour and a half later. He was placed under arrest, and now is being charged with reckless endangerment and endangering the welfare of a child.
Police say 37 children die a year in hot cars, and they say officers got to the child in this incident just in time.
The boy was taken to the hospital, where he was treated and released to the care of Child Protective Services.
According to police, Rodriguez is an admitted Bloods gang member with a prior criminal history. Rodriguez was ordered held on $5,000 bond at his arraignment Monday.
Neighbors near his home tell News 12 that there have been previous confrontations and police activity at the home.
News 12 reached out to Macy’s to inquire about what type of background checks they perform on their security guards, but has not received a response.
NEWS12
