Topline: Police say the father spent nearly an hour in an adult store as the children were inside a locked car with no air conditioning.
Published: July 29, 2025 8:00 am ET
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Background: Body cam footage shows officers discovering four young children locked inside a hot car in Phoenix as temperatures soared past 120°F. Inset: Ascencio Largo. (via (Maricopa County Sheriff's Office/ Phoenix Police Department)
PHOENIX, AZ — On a scorching Thursday afternoon in Phoenix, a 38-year-old father was arrested after police discovered his four young children locked inside a sweltering vehicle while he was reportedly shopping at a nearby adult store.
According to Phoenix Police, the incident unfolded around 3:40 p.m. on July 24 near 24th and Madison Streets.
Officers were dispatched to the parking lot of a business in the area after receiving a call from a concerned bystander who had spotted children trapped in a non-running car. The vehicle’s windows were rolled up, and the temperature inside had reached an estimated 125°F.
Body camera footage released by the department shows officers quickly gaining entry to the car and removing the children — ages 2, 3, 4, and 7 — who were visibly distressed.
Sgt. Rob Scherer of the Phoenix Police Department described the children as “bright red,” sweating heavily, and exhibiting signs of heat exhaustion.
“The call that all officers hate to get,” Scherer said in the video. “There were signs of distress… clearly, the heat was affecting the children.”
The children were immediately moved into an air-conditioned police SUV and given water before being transported to a hospital.
According to court documents obtained by KTVK, their body temperatures ranged from 99.7° to 100.4°F — within the range of a low-grade fever, but alarming given the conditions. Medical personnel expect the children to make a full recovery.
After securing the children, officers began searching for the vehicle’s owner. Police eventually located Ascencio Largo inside a nearby store — The Adult Shoppe.
According to court documents, employees at the store had made repeated announcements over the intercom, asking the owner of the car to come forward. No one responded.
Largo reportedly exited through the store’s back door and, when approached by police, initially denied that the car was his. One officer noted in the report that Largo shook his head “no” when asked about the vehicle. But after seeing emergency vehicles near the Nissan, Largo allegedly muttered, “Oh s***,” KTVK reported.
Police also noted the smell of alcohol on Largo and discovered that his driver’s license was restricted to vehicles equipped with an ignition interlock device — which his car did not have. During his arrest, Largo reportedly told officers he had gone into the store to “get some supplies.”
Largo now faces eight felony charges — four counts of child abuse and four counts of endangerment.
According to KSAZ, Maricopa County Commissioner Jane McLaughlin did not mince words during Largo’s initial court appearance. “The facts of the scenario, as alleged by the police, are rather shocking,” she said, referencing Largo’s alleged attempt to disassociate himself from the vehicle. “You could have exited that store to a car full of your dead children, which is rather shocking.”
The judge ultimately set bail at $5,000, significantly lower than the $50,000 requested by the state. Largo was ordered to have no contact with the children if he posts bail. The children are currently in the care of their mother, who police say was at work at the time of the incident.
According to Kids and Car Safety, three children died in Arizona last year due to being left in hot cars.
Since 1990, at least 1,141 children have died in hot cars in the United States.
The Department of Child Safety has launched a separate investigation, and Phoenix Police say the case remains open.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
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Police say the father spent nearly an hour in an adult store as the children were inside a locked car with no air conditioning.
By Jacob Charles
Published: July 29, 2025 8:00 am ET
Background: Body cam footage shows officers discovering four young children locked inside a hot car in Phoenix as temperatures soared past 120°F. Inset: Ascencio Largo. (via (Maricopa County Sheriff's Office/ Phoenix Police Department)
PHOENIX, AZ — On a scorching Thursday afternoon in Phoenix, a 38-year-old father was arrested after police discovered his four young children locked inside a sweltering vehicle while he was reportedly shopping at a nearby adult store.
According to Phoenix Police, the incident unfolded around 3:40 p.m. on July 24 near 24th and Madison Streets.
Officers were dispatched to the parking lot of a business in the area after receiving a call from a concerned bystander who had spotted children trapped in a non-running car. The vehicle’s windows were rolled up, and the temperature inside had reached an estimated 125°F.
Body camera footage released by the department shows officers quickly gaining entry to the car and removing the children — ages 2, 3, 4, and 7 — who were visibly distressed.
Sgt. Rob Scherer of the Phoenix Police Department described the children as “bright red,” sweating heavily, and exhibiting signs of heat exhaustion.
“The call that all officers hate to get,” Scherer said in the video. “There were signs of distress… clearly, the heat was affecting the children.”
The children were immediately moved into an air-conditioned police SUV and given water before being transported to a hospital.
According to court documents obtained by KTVK, their body temperatures ranged from 99.7° to 100.4°F — within the range of a low-grade fever, but alarming given the conditions. Medical personnel expect the children to make a full recovery.
After securing the children, officers began searching for the vehicle’s owner. Police eventually located Ascencio Largo inside a nearby store — The Adult Shoppe.
According to court documents, employees at the store had made repeated announcements over the intercom, asking the owner of the car to come forward. No one responded.
Largo reportedly exited through the store’s back door and, when approached by police, initially denied that the car was his. One officer noted in the report that Largo shook his head “no” when asked about the vehicle. But after seeing emergency vehicles near the Nissan, Largo allegedly muttered, “Oh s***,” KTVK reported.
Police also noted the smell of alcohol on Largo and discovered that his driver’s license was restricted to vehicles equipped with an ignition interlock device — which his car did not have. During his arrest, Largo reportedly told officers he had gone into the store to “get some supplies.”
Largo now faces eight felony charges — four counts of child abuse and four counts of endangerment.
According to KSAZ, Maricopa County Commissioner Jane McLaughlin did not mince words during Largo’s initial court appearance. “The facts of the scenario, as alleged by the police, are rather shocking,” she said, referencing Largo’s alleged attempt to disassociate himself from the vehicle. “You could have exited that store to a car full of your dead children, which is rather shocking.”
The judge ultimately set bail at $5,000, significantly lower than the $50,000 requested by the state. Largo was ordered to have no contact with the children if he posts bail. The children are currently in the care of their mother, who police say was at work at the time of the incident.
According to Kids and Car Safety, three children died in Arizona last year due to being left in hot cars.
Since 1990, at least 1,141 children have died in hot cars in the United States.
The Department of Child Safety has launched a separate investigation, and Phoenix Police say the case remains open.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor's Note: ThePo makes every effort to accurately transcribe the contents of affidavits of probable cause contained in criminal complaints. Often, the complaints themselves are copies of copies of faxed copies, and are difficult to read. To confirm the accuracy of our transcription, contact the Magisterial District Court listed above and request a copy of the criminal complaint. It's a public record to which you are entitled.
Must Read
Editor Picks
Latest Articles
Four Young Children Found in 125°F Car While Father Shopped in Porn Shop
Police say the father spent nearly an hour in an adult store as the children were inside a locked car with no air conditioning.
By Jacob Charles
Published: July 29, 2025 8:00 am ET
Background: Body cam footage shows officers discovering four young children locked inside a hot car in Phoenix as temperatures soared past 120°F. Inset: Ascencio Largo. (via (Maricopa County Sheriff's Office/ Phoenix Police Department)
PHOENIX, AZ — On a scorching Thursday afternoon in Phoenix, a 38-year-old father was arrested after police discovered his four young children locked inside a sweltering vehicle while he was reportedly shopping at a nearby adult store.
According to Phoenix Police, the incident unfolded around 3:40 p.m. on July 24 near 24th and Madison Streets.
Officers were dispatched to the parking lot of a business in the area after receiving a call from a concerned bystander who had spotted children trapped in a non-running car. The vehicle’s windows were rolled up, and the temperature inside had reached an estimated 125°F.
Body camera footage released by the department shows officers quickly gaining entry to the car and removing the children — ages 2, 3, 4, and 7 — who were visibly distressed.
Sgt. Rob Scherer of the Phoenix Police Department described the children as “bright red,” sweating heavily, and exhibiting signs of heat exhaustion.
“The call that all officers hate to get,” Scherer said in the video. “There were signs of distress… clearly, the heat was affecting the children.”
The children were immediately moved into an air-conditioned police SUV and given water before being transported to a hospital.
According to court documents obtained by KTVK, their body temperatures ranged from 99.7° to 100.4°F — within the range of a low-grade fever, but alarming given the conditions. Medical personnel expect the children to make a full recovery.
After securing the children, officers began searching for the vehicle’s owner. Police eventually located Ascencio Largo inside a nearby store — The Adult Shoppe.
According to court documents, employees at the store had made repeated announcements over the intercom, asking the owner of the car to come forward. No one responded.
Largo reportedly exited through the store’s back door and, when approached by police, initially denied that the car was his. One officer noted in the report that Largo shook his head “no” when asked about the vehicle. But after seeing emergency vehicles near the Nissan, Largo allegedly muttered, “Oh s***,” KTVK reported.
Police also noted the smell of alcohol on Largo and discovered that his driver’s license was restricted to vehicles equipped with an ignition interlock device — which his car did not have. During his arrest, Largo reportedly told officers he had gone into the store to “get some supplies.”
Largo now faces eight felony charges — four counts of child abuse and four counts of endangerment.
According to KSAZ, Maricopa County Commissioner Jane McLaughlin did not mince words during Largo’s initial court appearance. “The facts of the scenario, as alleged by the police, are rather shocking,” she said, referencing Largo’s alleged attempt to disassociate himself from the vehicle. “You could have exited that store to a car full of your dead children, which is rather shocking.”
The judge ultimately set bail at $5,000, significantly lower than the $50,000 requested by the state. Largo was ordered to have no contact with the children if he posts bail. The children are currently in the care of their mother, who police say was at work at the time of the incident.
According to Kids and Car Safety, three children died in Arizona last year due to being left in hot cars.
Since 1990, at least 1,141 children have died in hot cars in the United States.
The Department of Child Safety has launched a separate investigation, and Phoenix Police say the case remains open.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor's Note: ThePo makes every effort to accurately transcribe the contents of affidavits of probable cause contained in criminal complaints. Often, the complaints themselves are copies of copies of faxed copies, and are difficult to read. To confirm the accuracy of our transcription, contact the Magisterial District Court listed above and request a copy of the criminal complaint. It's a public record to which you are entitled.
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