Father faces charges after six children rescued from hot van near Des Plaines

Six children were rescued from a locked van Monday afternoon at an apartment complex near Des Plaines, and now their father faces charges.

According to the Cook County sheriff's office, the children did not appear in distress but were "visibly overheated" and taken to a hospital for evaluation.

The children ranged in age from 18 months to 7 years. Two were in car seats when they were rescued and two windows in the van were slightly open, authorities said.

A tenant who spotted the children notified the property manager, who then alerted authorities about 12:20 p.m.

The children's father had arrived at the complex about 11:30 a.m. to clean a unit located on the 9100 block of Lincoln Drive, authorities said.

The father is charged with misdemeanor child endangerment and released on his own recognizance. He is due in court June 22.

The Illinois Department of Children and Family Services has been notified.