Deidra Nicole Williams, a 23-year-old mother from Alabama, has been charged with willful child abuse [1] after leaving her infant in a hot car [2] while she shopped. Alabaster police received a call around 1:30 p.m. on Saturday afternoon informing them that the 5-month-old was found conscious in the back of Williams's hot, locked car [3]. The heat index outside the car was estimated to be 102ºF, and though it was initially reported that the child was only inside for a short time, investigators later determined that it was an extended period of time [4].

Williams was released from Shelby County Jail after posting the $5,000 bond, which has a requirement that she have no contact with her child.