Baby left sweltering in hot car while caregiver plays the pokies

Baby left sweltering in hot car while caregiver plays the pokies
Photo credit: Getty.

A baby was left in a hot car in Hamilton as its caregiver played pokies nearby for over an hour, Stuff reports.

The baby was seen by a bystander, who noticed that the car, left in a carpark on Hyde Ave on Thursday, had not been attended for quite a while.

She asked a nearby medical clinic for advice on the situation, who told her to get the baby out, reported Stuff.

The lady then went into nearby Yard Bar asking if any of the patrons had left a baby in their car.

Yard bar manager Sukhi Kaur told Stuff that it was around 4:30pm when the woman entered the bar in search of the baby's caregiver.

He said one of his patrons "got panicked when the woman told everybody and left straight away".

Mr Kaur said the woman was a regular at the bar, and "she just plays pokies, she doesn't buy drinks or do the TAB".

The baby was taken to a medical centre before the caregiver was found.

The temperature in Hamilton was 21.3degC on Thursday and police are investigating whether any charges could be laid against the caregiver.

Mr Kuar told Stuff they'd be taking precautions if the woman returned to the bar.

Newshub.