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Forsyth County mother charged with leaving 11-month-old in hot car

FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — A mother is in jail after police say she left her 11-month-old daughter in a car as she went shopping.

Amber Sue Adams was charged with cruelty to children and reckless conduct after police said she and her other three children were shopping for school supplies at the Walmart at 1500 Marketplace Blvd. in Cumming.

Adams, 26, told police she had forgotten about the infant because her mother put the child in a rear-facing car seat.

“We’re lucky somebody passing by saw the infant and made a phone call,” Lt. Brian Zimbarni said. “At present, we believe she was in the store 55 to 65 minutes.”

Adams returned to her car just as paramedics arrived. According to the police report, the infant's face was so red she looked like she had sun burn. She was drenched in sweat and her hair was soaked. She was taken to the hospital for evaluation and is OK.

“It doesn’t have to be terribly hot outside to make conditions inside the car that are dangerous to a child’s death,” Zimbarini said.

Other shoppers said they wonder how someone could overlook a child when leaving their car.

“Being a mom, you always turn around and check your car anyway,” Marty Pretiger said.

“I don’t see how it could happen. You hate to make a judgment. I don’t know,” Dave Pretiger said.

She remains in jail on an $11,700 bond, Forsyth County sheriff's officials said.