Florida woman 'left two-year-old in blistering hot car' in 91 degrees weather

A Florida woman has been arrested after allegedly leaving her 2-year-old grandchild in a sweltering hot car while she went grocery shopping, police have reported.

Elena Grady, aged 63, was charged with neglect of a child causing great bodily harm after her grandchild was discovered alone inside a baking hot car in a Publix parking lot on Tuesday.

Volusia County sheriff's deputies were called to the scene at around 3 pm after store managers spotted a child unattended in the parked car, according to police reports.

• New York boy, 13, 'who never got in trouble' shot dead by police after brandishing fake gun

• Human remains found along Long Island road as man, 72, arrested

In a statement posted on Facebook, the department revealed that the child "appeared lethargic" inside the car, which was "parked in full sun, no shade, not running, with the windows cracked."

At the time the child was left in the car, the outside temperature was a staggering 91 degrees, as per a heat index. The toddler was left alone in the car for approximately 16 minutes.

• Irishman whose life was 'stripped away from him' remembered at famous New York landmark

• New York man who beat woman in subway station, causing her to lose an eye, jailed

For all the latest news straight to your inbox, sign up for our FREE newsletters here .

"Let's avoid tragedy and remember NOT to leave children, pets, or vulnerable adults in a hot vehicle even if it's only supposed to be a few minutes," the Volusia Sheriff's Office advised on Facebook.

Grady was released just after midnight on Wednesday after posting her $3,000 bond, jail records indicate.

For the latest local news and features on Irish America, visit our homepage here .