Mom Faces Possible Jail Time for Leaving Baby in Car

CHULA VISTA – A 4 month old baby almost didn’t make it and was unconscious when a maintenance worker found her in a car left alone by her 25 year old mother, Starley Cristal Geart.  This little one was heavily sweating and would not respond to pinching or loud noises but was breathing.  Temperatures outside were in the high 70’s – low 80’s that day but temps in the car would have been much higher.

Geart has two children other than her baby, Kaylahni.  All of whom were taken from her when this incident happened.  In October, her children were returned.  She faces one count of child endangerment and an allegation of great bodily injury to her child.

Chula Vista Superior Court Judge Edward P. Allard III determined that the evidence was sufficient for Geart to stand trial.  If convicted, she faces a possible sentence of up to 12 years in prison.

In my opinion, I don’t think this young mom knew not to leave her child in a car when it’s in the 70’s.  It wasn’t that long ago that a dad forgot to drop his child off at daycare and went into work only to come out later to find the child not breathing.  The heartache this family must have gone through.

Since Spring is here and the temps will only be going up, we wanted to remind parents to never leave a baby or child in a car, even for a short time.  During the summer months, the temperature inside a parked car can reach over 120 degrees in as little as 10 minutes.

While this incident took place last summer, this story isn’t unique.  Every year many children lose their lives after being left in hot cars.  We must be diligent in getting this message out to those parents who are unaware of the danger.

This baby was unconscious and OK now but if left much longer, it would have been a very very sad ending.