A woman in Kentucky has been arrested after allegedly locking a 91-year-old man inside his own car during 101-degree Fahrenheit (about 38C) heat because he refused to buy her cigarettes. Nikki Reed Hoskins, 37, was detained last Thursday in East Bernstadt, roughly 75 miles south of Lexington, according to the Laurel County Sheriff's Office. The elderly man, left stranded on a roadway after she reportedly took the keys, was forced to ring 911 at around 1.15pm, highlighting the danger such extreme temperatures pose to vulnerable people.

Deputies went to Hoskins's home about four miles away, but she allegedly refused to come out and was found hiding in a bedroom. Officers said she struck one of them during her arrest and appeared to be under the influence, with slurred speech, glassy bloodshot eyes and unsteadiness. She was charged with first-degree wanton endangerment, theft by unlawful taking, third-degree assault on a police officer and menacing, and was also served with two outstanding bench warrants relating to child support, public intoxication and contempt of court. It remains unclear whether she knew the man beforehand.