Can a babysitter give consent to police to search a vehicle in a garage?

A babysitter cannot give consent to police to search a vehicle in a garage because they do not have legal authority over the vehicle or the property it is on. The right to consent to a search comes from having "joint access" or "control" over the item being searched, which typically includes ownership or explicit permission from the owner. In this situation, the babysitter does not hold that level of authority, as they are responsible for the children rather than the property.

Without explicit permission from the vehicle's owner, or in the absence of any emergencies or exigent circumstances, the police would need a warrant to search the vehicle legally. This requirement upholds the Fourth Amendment rights against unreasonable searches and seizures.