Sacramento Police: Dad Locked Kids Out Of Home In Heat Wave

SACRAMENTO (CBS13) — A Sacramento father is in jail, accused of locking his children out of their home as the heat climbed toward 100 degrees.

The most severe heat wave the Sacramento region has seen since 2006 isn't just oppressive, it's dangerous—especially for small children.

"It's common sense, if it's hot, especially in this heat, you don't leave your kids out."

But Sacramento Police say one father allegedly either didn't know or didn't care.

Demetrius McFarland, accused of putting his three children—as young as one year old—out in the front yard of their South Sacramento home on Sunday, when temperatures were already close to 90 degrees.

Neighbors reported the children were crying and trying to get back in, but McFarland was asleep when officers came and hauled him to jail.

Dr. Angela Rosas is a child-abuse specialist and a pediatrician for the Sutter Medical Group. She says children react differently to the heat.

"Children are more susceptible to getting overheated because it's difficult for their bodies to regulate their own body temperatures."

She says the heat could be deadly, and all too often sees cases of similar alleged abuse.