Man arrested in movie theater after leaving child in car

[trackrunner]

Shocked someone hasn't posted this already.


http://www.ksl.com/?nid=148&sid=3818159

Man arrested in movie theater after leaving child in car
July 21st, 2008 @ 10:00pm
Team coverage

A Salt Lake audience was engrossed in the new action-packed Batman movie when it was interrupted. Police stopped the film to arrest a father who was watching the movie while his child sat in a locked car in the Century 16 theater parking lot.

It was almost 2 a.m. Sunday when the 2-year-old boy was finally rescued from the car. The temperature inside was 87 degrees, but that wasn't the only threat facing him.


While 23-year-old David Farnham was enjoying the 11:30 p.m. showing of "The Dark Knight" inside an air-conditioned theater at Century 16 Saturday night, his 2-year-old son, Justin, was all alone in a hot car, surrounded by signs that warn patrons to park at their own risk.

South Salt Lake police say Justin had been in the car for more than two hours when other movie goers noticed the child and called for help.

"The child was in the car, sweating profusely and crying," said South Salt Lake police officer Gary Keller. "With the assistance of our fire department, we entered the car and got the child out of the car."

The toddler was dehydrated and thirsty from being locked inside the 87-degree car with the windows rolled up, but he was in relatively good condition.


Police say it could have ended a lot worse. "Especially a 2-year-old; they can dehydrate very, very quickly. You just never want to leave your child in the car ever, ever," Keller said.

Farnham, who has no prior criminal history, missed the last 10 minutes of the movie, and there was a slight interruption for everyone else when officers turned up the lights and arrested him inside the theater.

Movie goer Katty Zlochevsky said, "About the last 10 minutes, all of a sudden the screen turned off and everyone freaked out."

"Two cops came up with what looked like two managers," she explained.

With the movie off and the lights on, the officers told the packed crowd they were looking for Farnham. Then they told the crowd why.

"In regards to the baby left in the car," Zlochevsky said. "Then everyone kind of gasped."

"We all looked to see where he was, and he stood up and went down the stairs. And then people kind of threw stuff and started booing, and no one knew what to do," she said.

Farnham was taken away, and the last 10 minutes of the movie continued.

He was booked into the Salt Lake County Jail on charges of child abuse and child neglect.

Justin is now with his mother, who shares custody. She told Eyewitness News over the phone that he's doing well and that she's grateful it didn't end differently.

[bbennett]

I don't know how to react to this! What a loser. You always hear about some poor child left in a car and dying and this prick lea leaves his kid in the car to watch Batman? I'm by no means a violent person, but I'd love to beat the shit out of this "man".

[Sombeech]

Your opinion changes greatly about these situations once you have children.

[Jaxx]

well said bbennett.

[bbennett]

Side note: That chick they interviewed is hot

[devo_stevo]

Your opinion changes greatly about these situations once you have children.

You're right. It only makes you want to beat the "man" harder. I can't believe this sort of thing happens in this world. If you aren't ready to deal with taking care of children, keep it in your pants.

[trackrunner]

The first story posted yesterday had his inital comments to the police. I can't remember them perfectly but it went something like: The kid was safe, I locked the doors and rolled up the windows so he couldn't be removed from the car.

[trackrunner]

http://www.sltrib.com/news/ci_9956504

Cops: Dad left toddler in hot car as he saw 'The Dark Knight'
Alert moviegoer saw the sweating 2-year-old, who was in good condition
By Ana Breton
The Salt Lake Tribune
Article Last Updated: 07/22/2008 09:00:03 AM MDT


Janica Nielson was leaving a South Salt Lake movie theater with her father early Sunday when she noticed what appeared to be a doll in the back seat of the car parked next to theirs.

Taking a closer look, she realized it was a toddler - alone and sweating in his car seat.

"He was wearing a T-shirt that was completely soaked, and a blanket," Nielson said. "You could tell he was dehydrated and he could hardly breathe. The temperature inside the car was really stuffy."

Police who broke into the car to rescue the child say his father had left him there while he attended the midnight showing of "The Dark Knight."

David Farnham, 23, had left 2-year-old Justin in his car with the windows rolled up "so the child could not be taken out," according to a jail booking statement. The temperature inside the vehicle was 87 degrees, the statement said.

Police found Farnham inside the Century 16 Theaters at 125 E. 3300 South, said detective Gary Keller, of the South Salt Lake Police Department. Farnham has been booked into the Salt Lake County jail under suspicion of child abuse. Bail has been set at $50,000.

The boy, who was thirsty but reported in good condition, was released to his mother, Keller said. The case has now been turned over to prosecutors for screening.

"The only way the father would have left his baby in the vehicle like this is if he had a lobotomy earlier in the day," Nielson said Monday. "I can't believe he would put that child's life in danger. He should have taken care of his son."

Several other Utah parents have left their children in cars this year, some with fatal consequences.

Daniel Hadley, 5 months, died after his mother left him in her parked car June 17 in Springville as she visited a business associate. Outside temperatures reached up to 89 degrees, police have said. Kamilyn Kartchner Hadley, 31, pleaded guilty to a negligent homicide charge and faces probation.

A Salt Lake City couple face reckless endangerment charges for allegedly leaving their 2-year-old son in a parked car for 20 minutes while they shopped at Sears downtown. A security guard broke the car window and found the child dehydrated but otherwise unharmed, police have said.

Myles Gailey, 18 months, died April 28 in Kearns after his mother, Jana Gailey, left him in the back of her vehicle after a trip to the grocery store. Three hours later, she remembered the boy was in the car. Temperatures outside on the day of Myles' death hovered around 80 degrees. No charges were filed against Jana Gailey in that case.

[Mooseman70]

Your opinion changes greatly about these situations once you have children.

'Beech.... That's the TRUTH.

[Deathcricket]

I think the police could have handled it better. Instead of going into the theatre to find the prick, they should have just took the child and left. Having the father come out to find his child missing would have been a better punishment I think. Then after panicking and calling the police.. then arrest him.



Of course with people like this it could backfire. He might not even notice his child was gone. He was probably more depressed about missing the end of batman.

[bbennett]

I think the police could have handled it better. Instead of going into the theatre to find the prick, they should have just took the child and left. Having the father come out to find his child missing would have been a better punishment I think. Then after panicking and calling the police.. then arrest him.



Of course with people like this it could backfire. He might not even notice his child was gone. He was probably more depressed about missing the end of batman.

I like your style, Deathcricket

[Alex]

He was probably more depressed about missing the end of batman.

Have YOU ever missed the end of batman movie??? I didn't think so, so don't bash people until you walk in their shoes....honestly man... it's batman! not some wannabie ironman or something....

</sarcasm>

[Deathcricket]

Wannabe ironman? Ohhhh them's fightin werds......

[Mooseman70]

I think the police could have handled it better. Instead of going into the theatre to find the prick, they should have just took the child and left. Having the father come out to find his child missing would have been a better punishment I think. Then after panicking and calling the police.. then arrest him.

Disagree. I think the public humiliation he got with other movie patrons booing and throwing food at him was a great start! Sounds like they got him out of the theater just in time.... that could've gotten real ugly, real fast. Heck, maybe they should've left him there for the crowd to deal with.

I would've paid movie admission to see that! A vigilante show!

[Don]

I would've paid movie admission to see that! A vigilante show!

...at a Batman movie.

I too would have loved to have been there. I imagine handing my drink to my son (who, of course, would be watching Batman with me) and letting him throw it.

It sounded like he has partial custody, I hope this douche bag loses custody. The kid will be better off growing up not knowing his dad.

[trackrunner]

I would've paid movie admission to see that! A vigilante show!

...at a Batman movie.

[BruteForce]

Side note: That chick they interviewed is hot

[BruteForce]

On a more serious note, the guy should be strung up and left in the middle of State Street to slowly roast in the sun.

[JP]

Gee, where is that voice for the accused

[Mooseman70]

I believe they came down with a sudden case of laryngitis.