WESTLAKE, Ohio (WOIO) – A Westlake mother was charged after police say she left a 2-year-old and a 4-year-old in her hot car.

According to Westlake Police, officers were called to a business on Columbia Road around 11:40 a.m. Tuesday for the unattended children.

The mother of the children was upset because concerned bystanders were checking on the children in the vehicle while she was inside.

Officers on scene say the children were left alone for 35 to 45 minutes.

For 20 minutes of that time period, the car was off. In bodycam footage, the suspect says her 4-year-old climbed into the driver’s seat and turned off the car herself.

The Elyria mom was gone when officers arrived but came to Westlake Police Department after officers called her.

The children did not have any injures and the mother was charged with child endangering.

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