Rental Employees Find Toddler Left in Returned Vehicle

Employees at Daytona Beach International Airport’s Hertz car rental lot discovered a toddler who had been left in the back seat of a returned vehicle for about 45 minutes, according to a report by the Volusia County Sheriff’s Office. The grandfather of the child was arrested.

“The child was scared and hot, but thankfully in good health when checked by paramedics,” said the report.

Deputies responded to the Hertz rental lot on Monday. Oct. 10, after an employee reported the toddler was found in a locked vehicle in the rental lot.

Then a call came in from the child’s mother, who had just discovered her father had left her daughter in the rental car, not at his home, according to the report.

Detectives confirmed that David Towner left his granddaughter in the rental vehicle when he returned it. Towner was remorseful and cooperated with deputies. He was charged with one count of child neglect, according to the report.

Sheriff Mike Chitwood will be issuing citizens awards to the Hertz employees who found the toddler.