Charges are filed against siblings after toddler in Merriam was left in a hot car

Felony charges were filed Wednesday against two siblings who allegedly left their toddler cousin inside a hot car while they shopped.

Mylesha Anderson, 24, and Marques Anderson, 23, were each charged in Johnson County District Court with aggravated child endangerment. Their bonds were set at $25,000.

Bystanders who found the 2-year-old crying and drenched in sweat inside the locked car broke out a window to rescue the child. Cellphone video of their efforts posted online has gone viral since the incident Saturday outside a Merriam strip mall in the 5800 block of Antioch Road.

Merriam police were called to the scene about 4:20 p.m. Saturday. The temperature at the time was 91 degrees and the heat index was 101, police said.

Paramedics checked the child before she was released to other family members.

Officers spoke with the Andersons at the scene. They told police that the child was alone for only about four minutes, although other witnesses disputed that.

This story was originally published July 22, 2015 at 3:42 PM with the headline "Charges are filed against siblings after toddler in Merriam was left in a hot car."