Police have launched an investigation after two children, including a baby wrapped in a blanket, were reportedly left unattended in a car during the hottest December day in Canberra's recorded history.
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A member of the public told them the children, a five year old and a baby, had been left locked in a car at the Mawson shops for up to 15 minutes from 11.30am on Saturday.
The children had been left in the car with only one window slightly ajar and the engine off.
At the time of the incident, it was 34 degrees but it's estimated the temperature inside could have reached as high as 64 degrees.
The person responsible for the children returned to the car and left before police arrived.
Saturday was the hottest December day ever recorded in Canberra. The mercury hit 41 degrees in the afternoon.
An ACT police spokesman said an investigation into the incident was under way.
"Police are urging the person responsible for placing both children at risk to present themselves at a police station," the spokesman said.
The incident comes just days after police issued a warning to parents not to leave children in cars unattended, after one of the busiest years for officers rescuing children from locked cars.
Police say five children were pulled from hot cars in the 2018-19 financial year.
However, the actual number of incidents could be even higher as police said drivers could leave the scene before they arrived.
"Child welfare is one of the primary concerns of ACT Policing," the spokesman said.
"There have only been a small number of incidents reported in the ACT, but when they are reported, police treat reports of this matter very seriously and provide a priority response.
"While the number of incidents are low, police remind drivers and parents that it is not safe to leave children or pets unattended in a car at any time."
There is no specific offence under ACT law related leaving a child or an animal in a car.
However, ACT police can consider criminal charges against the person responsible under a neglect of children charge.
It's estimated 5000 children nationwide were rescued from hot cars this year, according to Kidsafe.
Police have urged for people who see a trapped child in a hot car to call triple zero immediately.
![Police are urging for the person responsible for the children to come forward. Police are urging for the person responsible for the children to come forward.](/images/transform/v1/crop/frm/fdcx/doc6w2sblzm4us9uibam1e.jpg/r0_218_4256_2611_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg)