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Man Left Daughter, 4, in Locked Car, Clearwater Police Say

Dean Baaj | Clearwater Police | Arrests

A passerby heard her calling for help, according to the Clearwater Police Department.

CLEARWATER – A Clearwater man is facing charges after he left his 4-year-old daughter locked inside a car while at a court hearing, the Clearwater Police Department said.

Dean Baaj, 51, of Clearwater, was charged with neglect of a child without great bodily harm, a felony.

Police said Baaj arrived at the Pinellas County Courthouse, 315 Court St., about 8:45 a.m. for a 9 a.m. civil hearing. He locked the doors and rolled up the windows to his 2004 Mercedes and left his child inside. He left the sun roof open.

About two hours later, a passerby heard the child calling for help and alerted a deputy inside the courthouse. Clearwater police officers then were called to the scene.

Baaj was questioned and taken into custody. The child was checked out by fire medics and was found to be okay. She was released to the custody of her mother, who was also at the hearing at the courthouse.

The temperature outside at the time the child was found was 82 degrees.

Clearwater Police | Crime | Child Neglect | Arrests | Tampabay News

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