A Nebraska police captain has been placed on leave after her toddler was discovered alone in a locked vehicle at a state park. Capt. Mayde McGuire, 54, and her partner, Mary Tobiassen, 49, were reportedly fishing at Lincoln’s Pawnee Lake on Sunday afternoon when concerned bystanders noticed the distressed 2-year-old inside the car.
Deputies arrived at the scene to find the child already removed from the vehicle. Lancaster County Sheriff Terry Wagner emphasized the rapid temperature increase within cars, even on mild days. "Even on a 78-degree day, which is pretty pleasant for us outdoors,” Wagner stated, “Inside a vehicle, it gets extremely hot, extremely quick, and so children just cannot be left inside a vehicle at this time of year."
The child was reportedly in the locked car for at least 28 minutes before authorities arrived. The outdoor temperature was 78 degrees Fahrenheit at the time.
Following the incident, McGuire submitted to a breathalyzer test, which registered a blood alcohol content of .108, according to the sheriff. Both McGuire and Tobiassen have been charged with misdemeanor child abuse. McGuire has also been cited and is on leave from the Lincoln Police Department. The investigation into the incident is ongoing.