The Lee County Sheriff’s office today said a Lehigh Acres woman, who left two children and two pets in a scorching hot vehicle while she received a facial, is under arrest.

Deputies were called to the Shoppes at Plantation Drive, off Daniels Parkway, at approximately 3 p.m. Saturday, June 5, after a citizen noticed the children (a boy and girl ages 6 and 7) sitting in a non-running vehicle with the windows rolled up in the intense afternoon heat, said Sheriff’s spokesman Tony Schall. He said the children displayed symptoms of heat stress and were immediately transported to the hospital.

An investigation shows the babysitter, who Schall said was a relative of the children, left the children and pets in a running vehicle when she went to the salon. She had been in the salon for approximately 45 minutes when the discovery was made, he said. The babysitter told deputies she left the vehicle running with the AC on.

When the children were discovered, the key in the ignition was still in the “on” position, but the vehicle had stopped running. At this time, it’s unknown how long the children and pets were in the vehicle after it had stopped running, Schall said.

Dayana Cardenas, 22, of 3303 4th Street West, Lehigh Acres, was arrested and charged with culpable negligence, Schall said.

The pets also displayed symptoms of heat stress and were turned over to Lee County Animal Services. The children were treated and have since been released from the hospital Schall said.