Woman breaks windshield to rescue baby from hot car despite warnings


When a San Antonio woman noticed a baby left alone in a hot car, she ignored the warnings from bystanders and a security guard.

Angela Radtke smashed through the car windshield with a tire iron and crawled through the hole to unlock the door. 

"The security guard was yelling that I could possibly be arrested for breaking the window," Radtke told KENS.

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But she said she was thinking, "I don't care if I get arrested. I'm saving this baby."

She very well might have. Officials looked at security footage and found the baby was left in the hot car for 40 minutes. The 1-year-old was taken to a hospital and treated for dehydration. 

Radtke's brave actions are quickly making headlines – with most pointing out she was warned by onlookers and the security guard to leave the situation alone.

With the 27 child vehicular heatstroke deaths in 2014 so far, many of those cases making national news, it's surprising others were reluctant to help her – and those who were afraid Radtke would be breaking the law probably didn't realize she'd be protected by one.

The basics of the Texas "Good Samaritan" Law are explained as this: "If you voluntarily attempt to help someone who is in an urgent situation as a result of an accident or other emergency, then you are protected from any liability for damages that may result from your care."

Radtke was questioned by officials after the incident but was released without charges shortly after. The father of the child said he forgot the baby was in the car, and he's now being charged with child endangerment.