A Police Officer’s Blunder: The Unexpected Rescue of a Lifelike Doll from an Overheated Vehicle
The Incident: A Blast from the Past
This article revisits a bizarre incident from August 2016 amidst recent concerns over the growing number of children succumbing to heatstroke in locked cars. A police officer from New Hampshire, believing he was on a life-saving mission, smashed into a car to rescue what he assumed was a child, only to find out it was a hyper-realistic doll.
Swift Action from the Officer
On July 23, Lt. Jason Short of the Keene police department received a distress call about a child left unattended in a vehicle in the parking lot of a local Wal-Mart, as reported by WMUR. The weather being sweltering, Lt. Short rushed to the scene. He noticed what appeared to be feet peeking out from beneath a blanket in the car and promptly decided to intervene.
A Startling Discovery
Convinced he was dealing with a life-or-death situation, Lt. Short decided to shatter the car window to reach the supposed child. Much to his surprise, he found a doll, eerily resembling a real baby. Initially, he assumed the doll to be a deceased child and tried to perform resuscitation efforts. It was only when he tried to breathe air into the doll’s mouth that he realized it was an incredibly lifelike model, prompting him to cancel the ambulance call.
Understanding from the Doll’s Owner
The owner of the doll, Carolynne Seiffert, was not around during the incident, as she was getting her hair cut at Super Cuts. Once she was informed of the situation, she explained to Lt. Short that the doll, named Ainslie, was intentionally crafted to mimic an actual baby to the finest detail. Seiffert further mentioned how the doll felt remarkably realistic to hold.
An Expensive Hobby
As per the Sentinel Source, Seiffert had purchased the lifelike doll, Ainslie, a week before the incident from a doll nursery for a whopping $2,300. Known as a “reborn” doll, this piece was meticulously handcrafted with silicone to give it an incredibly lifelike look. Seiffert is recognized for her extensive collection of such dolls.
A Step Toward Prevention: Informative Stickers
In the aftermath of the incident, Seiffert has taken steps to ensure such occurrences are not repeated. She intends to put a sticker on her car, clearly indicating that the ‘babies’ inside are just dolls. This measure aims to inform passersby, thereby avoiding unnecessary alarm or intervention in the future.
Note: For more information on preventing hot car deaths, please visit: https://www.nhtsa.gov/child-safety/you-can-help-prevent-hot-car-deaths