Teen Mom Arrested After Locking Toddler In Hot Car During Smurfs Movie

An 18-year-old Florida mother, Tripura Merriex, was arrested after allegedly leaving her 2-year-old daughter locked in a hot car while she watched the Smurfs movie at a Regal Cinema in Lake City. According to authorities, Merriex became frustrated with the child’s crying during the film and, after multiple disruptions, placed her in a Cadillac Escalade outside in 94°F heat with a

heat index of 107°F A. Officers broke the window to rescue the visibly distressed child, who was flushed, sweating, and crying A. Merriex reportedly acted nonchalant and claimed it was accidental, though witnesses said she checked on the child intermittently while continuing to watch the movie A. She faces felony child neglect charges and is being held on $50,000 bond.