New Jersey

Father Leaves Kids, 1 & 3, in Hot Car to Inquiry About Gym Membership: Authorities

A New Jersey father faces child abuse charges after police said he left his two young children in a hot car while he inquired about getting a gym membership.

Berkeley Township Police and Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office detectives arrested and charged Yordy Santanacastillo on Monday and charged the 28-year-old Forked River man with two counts of fourth-degree child abuse.

Witnesses told county investigators that Santanacastillo turned off his car and left two children, ages 1 and 3, in his car for about 19 minutes on Sept. 9 as he went into the Retro Fitness on Route 9 to ask about a gym membership, said investigators. The temperature outside at the time reached above 90 degrees, said prosecutors.

Law enforcement officials identified Santanacastillo as the children’s father.

Authorities processed Santanacastillo and released him on his own recognizance, said the prosecutor’s office.

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