Stories of parents leaving their babies in hot
cars while shopping are sadly not uncommon — and the consequences can be deadly. Heatstroke, loss of consciousness, or even death can occur if a child is left unattended in a vehicle on a hot day.
Police are often on high alert during warmer months, keeping an eye out for signs of children left behind in parked cars. That was the case for Officer Jason Short of Keene, New Hampshire, who responded urgently to a report of an infant left alone inside a vehicle at a Walmart parking lot on a sweltering day.
The plot
“I got there as soon as I could,” Jason told WMUR. “I don’t know how fast I was going, but it was quick.”
Upon arrival, he saw what appeared to be a baby wrapped in a blanket, with small feet visible through the car window. With no time to waste and unsure of how long the baby had been inside, Jason used his baton to smash the window and pull the child out.
The baby appeared lifeless and unusually pale. Jason immediately began CPR while bystanders called for an ambulance. But something didn’t feel right. As he examined the child more closely, he realized it wasn’t a baby at all — it was a hyper-realistic doll.
The doll belonged to Carolynne Seiffer, who had left it in the car while shopping. She returned to find a crowd gathered around her vehicle and a shattered window. The doll, which she named Ainsley, is one of about 40 lifelike dolls she owns as a way to cope with the loss of her son.
“I’ve been laughed at and embarrassed by all the fuss,” she told WMUR.
It turned out to be a shocking revelation
According to The Washington Post, these incredibly realistic dolls, known as reborn dolls, are often used as therapeutic tools for grieving parents.
“You can’t know how people choose to deal with their losses in life,” Carolynne said.
While Officer Short was initially embarrassed, he stood by his actions.
“I would never assume that it’s a doll,” he said. “Also I would always assume that it’s a child. And I would never do anything different.”
The Keene Police Department covered the $300 cost to replace Carolynne’s broken window. The incident turned out to be a misunderstanding. No one was harmed — and it served as a reminder to always err on the side of caution.
Authorities recommend that anyone transporting lifelike dolls avoid leaving them visible inside vehicles to prevent unnecessary emergencies.
