RANDOLPH — Authorities are weighing possible charges against a couple who left their baby in a running car while they went into a bar in Dakota County.

Sheriff Dave Bellows said the infant was left for at least 45 minutes in the car, with the heat on, on a freezing night last week.

The incident happened in the small town of Randolph. Sheriff’s deputies confronted the couple as they left the bar after being alerted by others in the bar.

Bellows said the two claimed they were inside for only a few minutes, but witnesses say the baby was left alone from 45 minutes to an hour.

The sheriff said the baby was placed in the care of relatives.