Police: Boy found unresponsive in hot car while parents drink inside bar


A mother and step-father are facing serious charges Wednesday after police said they left a 2-year-old inside of a hot car while they drank inside of a Pittsburgh bar.

According to police, Terri Hymes, 30, of Homewood, and Archie Howard, 27, of Garfield, are facing multiple charges after someone called 911 to report the boy in the car.

Pittsburgh police said when they arrived at the bar, the child was found slumped over, sweating and unresponsive in a car seat.

Investigators said the windows of the car were cracked, however the temperature at the time was 80 degrees with 70% humidity. The boy was immediately taken to Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh, where he has since been treated and released.

The criminal complaint stated, “as police gathered outside the vehicle waiting for medics to arrive, the mother exited the bar and attempted to get in the car and drive away.”

Officers said Hymes was visibly intoxicated.

Howard left the bar a short time later, and police said he caused a “disturbance with his voice, and failed to obey police orders.”

Howard and Hymes were both taken to the Allegheny County Jail. Hymes is facing felony child endangerment charges in addition to public intoxication and disorderly conduct charges. Howard is facing misdemeanor child endangerment charges and both public intoxication and disorderly conduct charges as well.

The boy is now in the custody of Children Youth and Families.