NJ dad leaves infant and toddler in car on 90-degree day, police say

BAYVILLE — An Ocean County man faces charges for leaving his two two young children in a hot car while he went into a gym to ask about joining.

Ocean County Prosecutor's Office spokesman Al Della Fave said witnesses saw two children, ages 1 and 3, alone in a car in the parking lot of Baywick Plaza on Route 9 in Bayville around 4:40 p.m. Sep. 9.

The temperature at the time was 90 degrees and had reached 97 earlier in the day.

Della Fave said Yordy R. Santanacastillo, 28, of Forked River, went into the Retro Fitness gym to ask about a membership and left his children alone for 19 minutes.

Bystanders managed to get into the car through the car's cracked windows and opened the doors to circulate air, according to Della Fave, who said the father came out to find the commotion around the vehicle.

Santanacastillo was charged with two counts of fourth-degree child abuse. He was released on a summons pending his appearance in Superior Court.

Contact reporter Dan Alexander at Dan.Alexander@townsquaremedia.com.