Purple Ribbon Month reminds people of the dangers of leaving kids in cars

The heat here in the desert can get very dangerous, very quickly, especially for children left in hot cars.

Saturday marks the beginning of Purple Ribbon month, to raise awareness of the dangers of leaving children in hot cars.

Deputy District Attorney Deena Bennett was on the scene when 6-month-old Kaitlyn Russell died after being left in a car in 100-degree heat.

“Every once in a while there are those cases that come across your desk that impact your life, for the rest of your life,” Bennett said.

Since then she’s worked with the Russell’s to pass a law making it illegal to leave a child 6 years or younger unattended in a car.

“If circumstances dictate you could ultimately be charged with involuntary man slaughter, depending on the circumstances, and looking at state prison,” Bennett said.

Friday, the Indio Police Department re-enacted a situation where someone left a child unattended in a hot car.

Doctors said in a matter of minutes a child’s body temperature can reach deadly levels.

And that’s not even in triple digit heat.

“It’s really very difficult to estimate and that’s the problem because people think ‘Oh its 65 out,’ but children have died in that in just a few minutes,” said Dr. Cameron Kaiser a Public Health Officer.

This year alone 11 children died when they were left in hot cars.

“It seems so common sense, right? You can’t leave your child. But our first thought should not be ‘I have to get my cell phone, I have to get my groceries, I have to get my dog,’ your first thought should be ‘I have to get my child,” Bennett said.

Bennett said simple things like putting your purse next to the car seat or leaving a sticky note on a steering wheel can be what saves a life.

She also said always look in the backseat before locking your door.

If you see a child in a car unattended call 9-1-1 immediately.