Child Hospitalized After Being Left in Car; Father Charged

A St. Louis County man is facing charges after allegedly leaving his 4-year-old son in a hot car for an hour and 40 minutes while he attended a car auction.

The St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports that the boy suffered brain swelling and heat stroke but survived.

Authorities say 32-year-old Charles Njeri of Hazelwood is charged with one felony count of child endangerment. He is jailed on $50,000 cash-only bond.

The incident happened Friday in Bridgeton. The outdoor temperature at the time was in the upper 80s. Authorities say the child was suffering seizures when Njeri returned to the car.

Hospital staff measured the boy's body temperature at 105 degrees. He remains hospitalized.