A 23-year-old father was booked into jail under suspicion of second-degree child abuse after leaving his son in his car while he watched the midnight showing of "The Dark Knight."

David Farnham of Salt Lake City left his 2-year-old son inside his car in the parking lot of the Century 16 Theaters at 125 E. 3300 South on Saturday night. An onlooker walking by the car at 1:22 a.m. on Sunday saw the baby inside the vehicle crying and sweating profusely, said detective Gary Keller with the South Salt Lake City Police Department.

Farnham rolled the windows up in the car "so the child could not be taken out," according to a jail booking statement. The temperature inside the vehicle was 87 degrees, the statement added.

Farnham was located inside of the theater and the boy was taken out of the car. The boy was thirsty, but otherwise in good condition, Keller said.

The boy has since been released to his mother. Farnham was booked into the Salt Lake County Metro Jail where he is being held without bail.

The case has been turned over for screening at the District Attorney's Office.

Labels: Stupid Criminals Division