Child in hot car: Antonio Almaraz, former Bexar County Sheriff’s Office deputy, charged and arrested for leaving baby in vehicle

BEXAR COUNTY, Texas — A Texas sheriff’s deputy in the San Antonio area was arrested Monday after allegedly leaving his 2-month-old baby in his vehicle for hours.

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Antonio Almaraz, 31, faces several charges in the Sept. 18 incident, according to the Bexar County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigation Division.

The sheriff’s office said the former deputy took the baby to a routine pediatric appointment at 9 a.m. and returned home after 10 a.m. Almaraz allegedly turned off his vehicle and entered his home, leaving the baby behind.

Deputies said around 1 p.m. the baby was found unresponsive in the car. The baby was taken to the hospital and remains in critical condition, according to the sheriff’s office.

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Almaraz was charged with serious bodily injury to a child – recklessness, abandoning a child with intent to return and endangering a child.

Officials added that Almaraz received a dismissal order based on his probationary status with the sheriff’s office, which he could not appeal. He also cannot be rehired regardless of the criminal outcome of the case.

“Given the awareness in the community about leaving children unattended in vehicles, there is absolutely no valid excuse for this to happen. My family and I are praying for the best possible outcome for this precious baby,” Sheriff Javier Salazar said. A declaration.

Almaraz’s bond was set at $80,000. He had worked at the sheriff’s office since February 2023.

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