In a remarkable incident in Keene, New Hampshire, a police officer responded to a call about a baby left unattended in a hot car, only to discover a lifelike doll instead.
On a scorching day in July, Lt. Jason Short of the Keene Police Department was alerted to a distressing situation at a local Walmart parking lot. Witnesses reported a baby confined in a locked vehicle, raising immediate concerns about potential heatstroke.
Upon arrival, Lt. Short observed a blanket-covered car seat with tiny feet visible. Without hesitation, he used his baton to break the window and accessed the vehicle to rescue the child. The infant appeared lifeless, with pale skin and shallow breathing.
As Lt. Short attempted to administer CPR, he realized the baby was unresponsive. A closer inspection revealed that the mouth did not open, and there were no ear canals. It became evident that the 'baby' was, in fact, a highly realistic reborn doll.
Reborn dolls are meticulously crafted to resemble real infants, often used by collectors for therapeutic purposes. They can weigh as much as a real baby and are designed with intricate details to mimic human features. The doll involved in this incident, named Ainslie, was valued at approximately $2,300 and was part of a collection owned by Carolynne Seiffert.
The incident sparked discussions about public awareness regarding lifelike dolls in vehicles. Lt. Short emphasized the importance of prioritizing perceived children's safety, stating, "I would always assume that it's a child. I would never do anything different."
To prevent future misunderstandings, Seiffert considered adding a bumper sticker to her car, indicating that the 'babies' inside were dolls. She acknowledged that while her coping mechanism might be unconventional, it was meaningful to her.
This unusual event serves as a reminder of the lengths to which individuals and emergency responders will go to ensure safety. It also highlights the need for increased public awareness about the existence and appearance of lifelike dolls to prevent potential distress or misinterpretation.
Note: Always exercise caution when encountering situations involving unattended children in vehicles. If you suspect a child is in danger, contact emergency services immediately.