Cops: Mount Sinai Dad Left Daughter, 4, Sleeping in Backseat of Mercedes While Shopping in TJ Maxx, Selden

(LONG ISLAND, NY) Suffolk County Police today arrested a Mount Sinai man after he left his child in a locked vehicle for approximately 15 minutes in Selden this afternoon.

Sixth Precinct Sergeant William Robinson and Police Officer Robert Strandvold responded to Selden Plaza after a 911 caller reported a child locked in a Mercedes Benz in Selden Plaza, located on Route 25, at 1:55 p.m. A member of the Selden Fire Department was also flagged down by the caller.

A 4-year-old girl was sleeping in the backseat of the vehicle for approximately 15 minutes. The car was not running and the windows were open approximately ½ inch. Other members of the Selden Fire Department responded and were able to unlock one of the doors. The child was transported to Stony Brook University Hospital for examination.

Juan Pablo Aguilar Varela, 32, of Mount Sinai was arrested and charged with Endangering the Welfare of a Child and is scheduled for arraignment at First District Court in Central Islip on August 28. Photo SCPD.

Sergeant Robinson and Officer Strandvold entered TJ Maxx, located in Selden Plaza, and located the child’s father, Juan Pablo Aguilar Varela, 32, of 4 Valiant Court. Aguilar Varela was arrested and charged with Endangering the Welfare of a Child and is scheduled for arraignment at First District Court in Central Islip on August 28. Suffolk County Child Protective Services was notified.

The fact that a defendant has been charged with a crime is merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent unless proven guilty. Defendants are entitled to a fair trial with the burden on the prosecution to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.