A family of 11, including six children, had to be rescued Sunday from a closed hiking trail in Phoenix. The group attempted to hike during extreme heat conditions, ignoring posted warnings. Now, experts say the adults could face child endangerment charges under Arizona law.
Trail Closed, Signs Ignored
The family—five adults and six children ages 5 to 15—began their hike at 10 a.m. on the day when Phoenix hit extreme temperatures. The trail was clearly marked as closed. Warning signs were posted at the entrance due to the dangerous heat.
About two hours into the hike, multiple children began showing signs of heat exhaustion. The family called for help. Phoenix Fire Department responded and safely removed the group from the trail. “There’s no reason to be on the trails at 10 a.m. on an extreme heat day, especially with younger children,” said Phoenix Fire Capt. Rob McDade.
Emergency responders said the rescue required significant resources but fortunately ended without serious injury.
Legal Consequences Possible
Child advocate Anika Robinson, who specializes in crimes against children, believes the parents could be charged with child abuse or neglect. “They are very lucky that all of them came out alive,” she told Arizona’s Family. “By statute, that would constitute child abuse by endangering a child’s life.”
Robinson said that under Arizona law, knowingly or recklessly putting a child in danger can be considered a felony offense. She compared the situation to leaving a child in a hot car—another chargeable act in the state.
Seemingly small choices can carry lasting consequences, Robinson warned. She works with children in foster care and said situations like these can lead to family separation. “Our family could be ripped apart,” she said, recounting past cases.
City Response and Safety Reminder
The City of Phoenix confirmed that no citations were issued during the rescue. In a statement, city officials said the priority was “on the health and safety of the individuals at risk.”
Phoenix officials emphasized that no one should hesitate to call 911 due to fear of receiving a citation. “Safety is what matters most,” the statement read. However, the city retains the authority to issue citations for entering closed trails if needed.
The city is urging the public to follow the “Take a Hike. Do it Right.” safety campaign. They advise hiking only before 8 a.m. or after 5 p.m. to avoid the hottest hours of the day.
