In 2016, a Keene, New Hampshire police officer smashed a car window after spotting what looked like a baby left alone in the heat. Fearing the worst, he rushed to save the child—only to realize it was a hyper-realistic reborn doll.
The doll belonged to a local collector who often kept it in a car seat, not realizing how real it appeared to others. Photos of the rescue quickly went viral, sparking debate online.
Officials defended the officer’s decision, stressing that when a child’s safety is at stake, it’s better to act than hesitate. The incident not only highlighted how lifelike these dolls can be, but also served as a stark reminder of the deadly risk of leaving children—or anything resembling them—inside hot cars.
