Kids left in idling car may have suffered carbon monoxide poisoning

Two children found in an idling sport utility vehicle apparently suffered carbon monoxide poisoning, police said.

One passer-by called 911; another broke out the vehicle's left rear window.

The 8-year-old girl and 5-year-old boy were not seriously injured and were not taken to a hospital, Tampa police spokeswoman Andrea Davis said.

Desmond Nieto, 31, didn't appear to realize his children had suffered carbon monoxide poisoning, police said. But because Nieto left the children unattended in his running 1997 Chevrolet Blazer and because they became ill, he was arrested at 6:40 p.m. Thursday on one count of child neglect.

"What if the children put the car in reverse and ran over someone or injured themselves?" Davis said. "What if it wasn't a good citizen breaking that window? What if it was someone trying to abduct the child?"

Nieto, of 2807 W. Wallace Ave., remained in jail today on $7,500 bail.

According to a police report, Nieto drove to a CVS at Gandy Boulevard and MacDill Avenue and left his children in the SUV for about seven minutes while he went into the store. The SUV's windows were closed and the doors were locked.

Bill Ellenback noticed something amiss while he was sitting in a nearby vehicle. The idling SUV smelled pungent, so Ellenback went to find its owner and spotted a boy in a safety seat. He couldn't rouse the child even when he banged on the roof and window.

"The children did not respond at any time, did not do anything but lie there on the seat," he said. "Seeing the little girl just totally almost broke me apart. She would not wake up. Neither would the boy, of course, in the safety seat."

Davis said the boy had blue lips, indicating he was semi-conscious or potentially unconscious. The girl seemed groggy.

Carbon monoxide is an odorless, colorless and potentially deadly gas. Symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning can include headache, dizziness and sleepiness.

Children are more susceptible to poisoning because their lungs are smaller and they breathe at a quicker rate than adults, said Tampa Fire Rescue Capt. Bill Wade.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, a small leak in a car's exhaust system can lead to a buildup of carbon monoxide inside the vehicle.

The agency recommends having a mechanic check the exhaust system annually.

When driving with a tailgate open, motorists also should open vents or windows to ensure air is moving through the vehicle. Carbon monoxide from the exhaust will be drawn inside the vehicle if only the tailgate is open.