Alexandria, LA, for release (6/9/26)
On June 9, 2026, at approximately 12:45 p.m., officers with the Alexandria Police Department responded to the 2600 block of South MacArthur Drive in reference to two small children being left unattended inside a vehicle.
Upon arrival, officers located the vehicle and found two young children, ages two and three, inside. Due to the extreme heat conditions, with temperatures reaching the upper 90s, medical attention was immediately requested. The children were evaluated and treated on scene by the Alexandria Fire Department and Pafford EMS.
During the investigation, officers located the vehicle’s owner inside a nearby business where she had been shopping.
As a result of the investigation, 38-year-old Bianca Turner was arrested and charged with two counts of cruelty to juveniles.
Chief Chad Gremillion said, “There is absolutely no excuse for leaving children alone in a vehicle during hot weather. While this mother was shopping, her children were left trapped in conditions that could have quickly become life-threatening. A child’s safety must always come before personal convenience. If you are willing to leave your children unattended in a hot car, you are making a choice that could end in tragedy. We will not ignore that kind of reckless behavior.”
The Alexandria Police Department reminds parents and caregivers that temperatures inside a vehicle can rise to dangerous and potentially deadly levels within minutes, even with windows cracked. Children should never be left unattended in a vehicle for any period of time.
This is currently an ongoing investigation.
If anyone has any information about this incident or any other type of crime in the Alexandria area, please contact the Alexandria Police Detective Division at the phone number (318) 441-6416, or APD Dispatch (318) 441-6559. You may also email information to detectives at: APDDetectives@cityofalex.com.
For a cash reward, call Crime Stoppers of CenLa at (318) 443-7867. The Crime Stoppers P3 Tipster App can also be downloaded to leave tips and get a claim number for a cash reward at www.p3tips.com/community/mobile.
