Desert Hot Springs mom leaves 3-month-old son in car to shop at Walmart

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KABC) -- A Desert Hot Springs mother was arrested after police said she left her 3-month-old son alone in a car while she shopped at Walmart.

Officers responded to a report of an infant left unattended in a car in a Walmart parking lot at 5601 E. Ramon Road Wednesday around 6:50 p.m.

Police said the child had been left for about 20 minutes in the car, which was left running with the air conditioning on. The child did not appear to be in distress, according to authorities.

The baby was placed in the care of the Palm Springs Police Department until he can be released to a responsible caretaker.

The infant's mother, 27-year-old Selena Gastelo, was arrested for child endangerment.

City News Service contributed to this report.