Dollar Tree shopper noticed strange movement inside a 100-degree car in parking lot—their quick response saved two kids

The person immediately called the police after taking a closer look at the car, and that changed everything.

PUBLISHED AUG 3, 2025

(L) The facade of a Dollar Tree store. (R) A man standing at a parking lot and looking at something with a surprised expression. Representative Cover Image Source: Getty Images | Jetcity Images; Joos Mind

Situational awareness can prevent terrible things from happening in many scenarios. In one such incident, a shopper at a Dollar Tree store noticed movement inside a car and found out that two young kids had been left in the vehicle on one of the hottest days in Florida. The concerned person reported the incident to the police, and the cops immediately arrived at the Dollar Tree location on Homestead Road and decided to take legal action against the mom, per ABC 13 News.

Woman strapping a kid in a car. Representative Image Source: Getty Images | Youngoldman

The officers came to the parking lot of the store and noted that the kids had been left in a closed, non-running vehicle. "This woman chose to leave her children in a car during one of the hottest days we have had in Southwest Florida this year," Sheriff Carmine Marceno pointed out. The kids were strapped to their seats, the car was turned off and all the windows had been rolled up, leaving no way for air to pass by in the car. Even after keeping the car doors open for 10 minutes, the police noted that the temperature inside the vehicle had reached 100 degrees, making it life-threatening for the kids. The temperature outside was also quite high that day at 98 degrees.

Kid crying inside a car as someone unbuckles him. Representative Image Source: Getty Images | Anchiy

The children's mom, Marianne Isnar, eventually came out of the store after quite a long time and cops arrested her and took her into custody. The children were checked on by EMS and seemed to be doing okay. They were sent to a family member after the harrowing incident, per the outlet. The mom was charged with child neglect and for leaving her kids in a hot vehicle that could have been fatal for them. About 37 children lose their lives every year to heatstroke because they were either left inside a vehicle or got trapped, per the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Things are particularly bad during the summer months, as the number goes up to two children dying every week.

A cop standing close to a car. Representative Image Source: Getty Images | kali9

In 52 percent of these cases, the deaths happen because a parent or caregiver forgot the child in the car. In 47 percent of cases, the kid is either being dropped off at a preschool or at a daycare centre. The highest number of cases happened on Thursdays and Fridays, the end of the work week. Around 55 percent of such cases in hot cars happen with babies less than two years old. Local 12 News shared the event on Facebook and many people expressed their surprise at what had happened with the kids.

Scott Ivey wrote, "I have never left my kids in the car, by accident or on purpose. I don’t understand parents nowadays." Lori Anne commented, "I’ll never get what is wrong with people? No Common sense! Thank God these kids survived." Ralph Mahon remarked, "Lucky the Deputies found them soon enough. Thank you, Deputies!" Mary Kanawyer expressed, "Please, ladies: find friends who also have children, with whom you can trade babysitting duties, if you can't afford a sitter." Carol Palmer Lasher shared, "This is in the news a lot. How do you miss what can happen and you may go to jail? What will you do, leave them home with no food and water while you're gone?"