A Los Angeles man who allegedly left his 2-year-old daughter alone inside a hot car with the windows rolled up pleaded not guilty Tuesday to a felony child abuse charge.
Dennyal Sachen, 48, is also charged with one misdemeanor count each of driving under the influence of an alcoholic beverage and driving with a 0.08 percent blood-alcohol content stemming from his June 8 arrest by El Segundo police.
Someone walking near the car spotted the toddler sleeping unattended in a car seat, opened an unlocked car door for ventilation and called 911, according to police, who said the girl was sweating.
Officers said they found a six-pack of cold beer — with one beer missing — inside the car.
Saachen allegedly returned to the vehicle in the 600 block of Center Street about 15 minutes later with his 10-year-old daughter.
A preliminary blood-alcohol test indicated he was three times over the legal limit to get behind the wheel, according to police.
Saachen is due back in a Los Angeles courtroom Sept. 28, when a date is scheduled to be set for a hearing to determine if there is enough evidence to require him to stand trial.
–City News Service