Volusia County, FL - A Florida grandfather has been charged with child neglect after leaving behind his toddler granddaughter while returning a rental car to the Daytona International Airport on Monday.
Police say 62-year-old David Towner was arrested after the child was found in a car in the return lot by Hertz employees Monday evening.
According to the Volusia County Sheriff's Office, the child, who is less than 2 years old, was discovered 45 minutes after Towner returned the vehicle.
In a statement, the sheriff's office said "the child was scared and hot, but thankfully in good health when checked by paramedics. Deputies arrived to find the employee carrying the child, whose face was warm and streaked with dried tears, but was breathing normally.”
Officials with the Volusia County Sheriff's Office say shortly after the child was discovered, her mother called to say that her father had accidentally left her daughter in the rental car while babysitting, and that she was on her way to be reunited with the child.
The grandfather was charged with one count of child neglect and “was remorseful and cooperative with deputies,” according to the sheriff's office.