UPDATE: An Arizona father has been sentenced after leaving his four young children in a locked car that reached a staggering 124 degrees. Ascencio Largo, 38, was arrested in July 2023 while he visited a porn store, leaving his children in perilous conditions for over an hour.
Police responded to a distress call and found the children in the sweltering vehicle, visibly suffering from the heat. According to body-worn camera footage from the Phoenix Police Department, an officer asked, “Where’s mom or dad?” as they rushed to rescue the kids.
The chilling situation unfolded at The Adult Shoppe located on South 24th Street in the Crestwood neighborhood of Phoenix. Emergency responders quickly recognized the imminent danger posed to the children, who were all under the age of 10. After gaining access to the vehicle, officers provided immediate care, offering water and placing the children in a marked patrol car with air conditioning to cool them down.
Authorities confirmed that the children were sweating profusely and had red skin—indicators of heat distress. Their internal body temperatures ranged from 99.7°F to 100.4°F, raising alarms about their well-being. A police press release emphasized that the situation posed a serious risk of death.
During Largo’s initial court appearance, the prosecutor stated, “The children were in imminent danger of death in this situation.” A judge expressed shock at the circumstances, noting, “You could have exited that store to a car full of your dead children.”
Largo, who appeared to be intoxicated at the time of the incident, initially denied ownership of the vehicle. However, after officers followed him, he realized the severity of the situation, responding with, “Oh s–.”
After spending four months in jail, Largo has been sentenced to 10 years of probation and faces significant legal consequences for his actions. Thankfully, all four children were unharmed and are now safe.
This case highlights the urgent need for parental responsibility, especially in extreme weather conditions. Authorities are reminding the public about the dangers of leaving children unattended in vehicles, particularly during the scorching summer months.
As the community reacts to this shocking event, officials urge parents to remain vigilant and prioritize the safety of their children. Stay tuned for further developments as we continue to monitor this story.
