Parents could face charges for taking kids hiking in extreme Arizona heat, advocate says
PHOENIX (KPHO/Gray News) – A child advocate says adults could face charges after taking multiple kids on a hike in Arizona in extreme heat, leading to the family needing to be rescued.
On Sunday, the family of 11 had to be rescued from a popular hiking trail in Phoenix. That trail was closed at the time due to the extreme heat, and warning signs were clearly posted that the trail was closed.
Six children, ages 5 to 15, were accompanied by five adults.
About two hours into the hike, the family called for help after multiple children began showing signs of heat exhaustion.
First responders say they were able to get them off the mountain safely but had to use a lot of resources to do it.
“This is an extreme heat day; there’s no reason to be on the trails at 10 a.m., on an extreme heat day. Especially with younger children,” said Phoenix Fire Capt. Rob McDade.
Since the trailhead was clearly marked, child advocate Anika Robinson says the parents should have known better.
“They are very lucky that all of them came out alive,” she said. “By statute, that would constitute child abuse by endangering a child’s life.”
Robinson works with foster kids and is an expert in crimes against children. She said that just as you can face charges for leaving a child in a hot car, you can face charges for taking them hiking in the heat.
She says that, according to Arizona law, if an act harms a child and is done intentionally, knowingly, or recklessly, it is considered a felony.
She says in this family’s case, the parents could be charged for neglect or abuse for knowingly bringing their children on a hike in extreme heat.
“The trails were closed for a reason,” Robinson said.
The City of Phoenix shared a statement with KPHO, saying that no citations were immediately issued during Sunday’s rescue because the priority was “on the health and safety of the individuals at risk.”
It’s unclear if charges will be pursued in this case, but the city said no one should ever be deterred from calling for help out of concern for receiving a citation.
The city is reminding the public to avoid restricted trails and to hike on open trails before 8 a.m. or after 5 p.m. to avoid the hottest points of the day.
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