Joondalup Detectives have charged a care support worker following an investigation into the circumstances surrounding a person being left in a car on Saturday 13 January 2024.
It will be alleged that about 1.40pm, a male care support worker parked his vehicle at Lakeside Joondalup Shopping Centre.
He then entered the centre and left a 26-year-old man – who lives with severe Autism and is non-verbal – in the back seat. The front windows were left partially open; however, the back windows were closed.
Temperatures reached more than 40 degrees that day.
About 2.30pm, a concerned member of the public alerted security, who contacted emergency services.
Upon arrival, police located the 26-year-old visibly distressed and heat-affected with his seat belt buckled.
Police eventually forced entry and removed the man from the vehicle. He was taken to Joondalup Health Campus by St John WA, before he was released later that night.
The care support worker eventually returned to the vehicle and spoke with police. It will also be alleged that whilst inside the centre, he used cash from the 26-year-old’s wallet without permission to purchase food items.
Following inquiries, a 37-year-old man was charged with endanger life, health or safety of a person, and stealing as a servant.
The Northbridge man is due to appear in Joondalup Magistrates Court on Friday 8 March 2024.
