The arrest of a 23-year old Akron woman Monday for leaving her three children unattended in her car is a growing cause for concern for local police.

Summit County Sheriff's Inspector Bill Holland tells WAKR and AkronNewsNow.com."If you leave children unattended i a car, a lot of things could happen. They could get out of the car, someone could get into the car. of course heat issues, cold issues. It doesn't take long for things to go very very bad."  

Holland says parents have several excuses for leaving their children inside the car alone. "It's usually a matter of saving money or saving time, and I'm sure if you spoke to any parent that have had something tragic happen to their child, I' sure they'll tell you it happened very quickly, in the matter of an instant," says Holland.

He says that can turn into a tragedy when children are left alone in cars that are too hot or cold, or are abducted.

Children Left Alone In Cars by Larry States

Bill Holland says criminals could be watching and see an opportunity. "They thrive on opportunities, and if they see a car with two or three kids unattended, to them that's an opportunity, so don't give the criminals an opportunity."

Holland says they get most of their calls from the public for reports of kids alone in cars., so parents should be aware that others are watching.

Parents can face child endangering charges and even see jail time for leaving their kids alone.