2019 Hot Car Deaths

[Cat Herder]

25

25 8/1/2019 Garland, TX 95 Girl 9 mo

GARLAND, Tex. -
A 9-month-old baby girl was found dead Thursday after being left in a vehicle at a car wash, police said.

The infant was found by her father at 5:15 p.m. after she was left in the vehicle for an unknown amount of time.

"We're trying to determine how much time passed by from the time the child was placed in the vehicle until the time was found in the vehicle by the father," Lt. Pedro Barineau told WFAA.

The father drove through the car wash and was vacuuming when he discovered his daughter's body in the backseat, WFAA reported.

No charges have been filed.

The incident remains under investigation." - https://www.wsbtv.com/news/trending-...kpZiMGsSMHBe84

[Cat Herder]

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26 8/1/2019 Corbin, KY 88 Aubrey Rose 2 yr

"Kentucky State Police released the preliminary autopsy report of a two-year-old girl found dead in Whitley County.

The state medical examiner's office said the cause of death was consistent with hyperthermia, which means Aubrey Rose's body temperature was much higher than normal.

Police said she was found in a hot car on the family's property. They do not suspect foul play.

The investigation is ongoing.

Kentucky State Police are investigating after a two-year-old girl was found dead in Whitley County.

Police were called to a home on Leona Wyatt Road around 2:00 p.m. to look for a missing child. Multiple law enforcement agencies searched the property and found the toddler unresponsive.

"The original call that came in as a missing juvenile. We went to assist another agency. Then it got upgraded to a possible full arrest. Which means not breathing, no heartbeat," said Corbin Fire Department Battalion Chief, Jack Partin.

The girl, Aubrey Rose, of Corbin was taken to Baptist Health Hospital where she was pronounced dead.

The outcome was something police said they hoped would not happen.

However, they said they are motivated to make sure they get answers for the family.

"The main thing is to gather all the facts that we can, get to the bottom of what caused it. As much information as we can possibly get to help this family in their trying time," said Trooper Jordan Hopkins.

The body will be sent to the state medical examiner's office for an autopsy. The autopsy results should be released Friday with the cause and time of death.

We will update this story when we learn more." - https://www.wymt.com/content/news/Mi...513503761.html

[Cat Herder]

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29 8/6/2019 Moultrie, GA 90 Damian Elias Leyva 21 mo
28 8/5/2019 Ruffin, SC 88 Cristina Pangalangan 13 yr
27 8/5/2019 San Diego, CA 83 Scarlett Grace Harris 2 yr

29. MOULTRIE, Ga. — A 21-month-old child died Tuesday after being shut in an SUV at his parents’ house on Tommy Meredith Road. Damian Elias Leyva, son of Yaniel and Maria Linda Leyva, was pronounced dead at Colquitt Regional Medical Center’s emergency room. Colquitt county deputies responded to the emergency room about 8 p.m. Tuesday.

“Everything appears the child succumbed to heat exhaustion,” Sheriff’s investigator Austin Cannon said. Cannon said there was a 30- to 45-minute gap between the last time the parents saw Damian and when they found him inside the SUV. Colquitt County Coroner Verlyn Brock said it appeared to have been a tragic accident, but he said tests are being conducted that will shed more light on the situation." - https://www.moultrieobserver.com/new...21c38df9e.html

28. CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCSC) - Authorities have identified the 13-year-old girl who authorities say died after being deliberately left in a car in Colleton County. Officials with the Colleton County Coroner’s Office say Cristina Pangalangan died in Ruffin Monday afternoon.

The girl’s mother, Rita Pangalangan, and Larry King Jr., have been charged with her murder. A friend of Rita Pangalangan, who is a Colleton County teacher, said that’s not the woman she knows. Pangalangan and her boyfriend Larry King Jr. are both charged with murder.

No one was home Wednesday at the house on Lowcountry Highway in Ruffin where King lives. Sitting outside was the car Colleton County deputies say Rita Pangalangan‘s daughter was placed in and died in after being left in it for several hours on Monday.

“I was completely stunned, speechless, couldn’t believe it, just couldn’t believe it,” Rochelle Byrd said Wednesday. Byrd’s daughter was taught by Pangalangan, a former teacher of the year. Byrd hasn’t seen Pangalangan in several years.

“She was one of the best teacher’s I ever met,” Byrd said.”Honestly I don’t understand it. I don’t understand how any child can be supposedly left in a car, especially this child, the special needs that she had. That’s one of the first things you would think, she would get her child out of the car. It just doesn’t make a whole lot of sense to me.”

She also can’t understand that investigators say the 13-year-old was deliberately left in the car. “I’m just stunned. I’m completely speechless," Byrd said."I don’t even know how to respond to that, knowing the person that I know her to be turned from that, being called a murderer is incredible."

The sheriff’s office says the investigation into the murder is ongoing. Byrd says she can’t get the 13-year old girl off her mind. “She’s back in the Lord’s hands,” Byrd said." Both Pangalangan and King have criminal pasts. King has prior arrests for domestic violence and assault and battery.

Court records also show an assault and harassment charge against him were dismissed. In January of this year, Pangalangan was arrested after being accused of stuffing candy bars in the gas tank of King’s truck. According to the incident report, the couple was not dating at the time. King told officers he was leaving a bar and saw chocolate and what appeared to be peanuts in and around the nozzle of the gas tank. He said it would cost between $500 and $600 to inspect and repair the damage. Rita Pangalangan is on paid leave from the Colleton County School District following her arrest for murder. - https://www.live5news.com/2019/08/07...eing-left-car/

27. "A toddler died Monday in Tierrasanta after the child was discovered inside a car, San Diego police said. The mother called police at 12:42 p.m. to report she had awakened from a nap and could not locate her 21-month-old child.
The mother then called the police back and said she had located the child inside a car. Officers arrived to the location on Leary Street where the toddler was pronounced dead just after 1 p.m.

Police did not say if the mother left the child in the car, or provide any other details as to how the child got inside the car.

The child's father identified her as Scarlett Grace Harris. San Diego Police Department Child Abuse Unit investigators took over the investigation Tuesday. Leary Street is located south of Tierrasanta Boulevard and west of Santo Road. The neighborhood is filled with housing used by U.S. personnel from local military bases.

"This is tough," one neighbor said. "It hits home. It could happen to any of us. I'm a mother, we go through a lot being military spouses, you know, with our significant others, just in life in general and this is just so unfortunate." - https://www.nbcsandiego.com/news/loc...521323761.html

[Blackcat31]

I just dread clicking on this thread every time it comes up.


Also wondering what the full story is with the 13 year old.
Was she special needs? Why didn't she get out of the car?

[Cat Herder]

I just dread clicking on this thread every time it comes up.


Also wondering what the full story is with the 13 year old.
Was she special needs? Why didn't she get out of the car?

Yes, "I don’t understand how any child can be supposedly left in a car, especially this child, the special needs that she had." It was a lot of text, I meant to bold that part. The time limit is hard with MS.

I just want their stories to be heard and read regularly in the hope more people will stop and think. This is the biggest daycare forum on the net, surely every parent out there has been here at least once.

[Blackcat31]

I just want their stories to be heard and read regularly in the hope more people will stop and think. This is the biggest daycare forum on the net, surely every parent out there has been here at least once.

Oh absolutely!!!
Nothing beats a good dose of reality to remind us how fragile life really is....

It just breaks my heart every time..

[Cat Herder]

31

31 8/9/2019 Knoxville, TN 91 Unknown Unknown
30 8/7/2019 Columbus, NE 86 Boy 1 yr

31. KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WATE) – The Knoxville Police Department and first responders are investigating the death of a young child after they were left in a car in a North Knoxville grocery store parking lot.

The circumstances surrounding the child’s death apart from reports of the child being found deceased in the car – were still in the preliminary investigation stages, according to KPD.

KPD did confirm the child to be “young.”

First responders were at the scene at a grocery store on a report of a child left in a car in the 5000 block of Clinton Highway Friday just after 3 p.m.

The child had reportedly been in the vehicle for an unknown amount of time, and resuscitation efforts were made.

Officials say the child died.

WATE 6 On Your Side observed the medical examiner arriving before 4 p.m. and a tarp being put over the vehicle in question. The majority of the parking lot was blocked off by authorities.

Details such as the child’s age, or the whereabouts of the child’s parents/guardians, were not yet available." - https://www.wate.com/news/child-dies...grocery-store/

30. "A year-old baby was found dead Wednesday evening in the back of a vehicle in Columbus, Nebraska. Police said the boy's mother had gone in to work around 8 a.m.

The 37-year-old woman had left her son in her vehicle in the parking lot at her workplace, Columbus Police Capt. Todd Thalken said.

Police responded to a report of an unattended death just before 6 p.m. Wednesday. " - https://www.omaha.com/news/public-sa...681cc60d2.html

[Cat Herder]

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32 8/11/2019 Lawrence, KS 89 DéVonté Lashawn Turner 2 yr

"Lawrence police have identified the child who was found dead inside a parked car Sunday afternoon as DéVonté Lashawn Turner.

Police Chief Gregory Burns Jr. at a news conference on Monday said the 2-year-old Lawrence boy at the time was in the care of family members who were not his parents, but Burns would not be more specific. He said a death investigation was underway and that it appears heat may have contributed to the boy’s death.

Burns said at this point in the investigation no arrests have been made. Burns described the child’s death as tragic; however, he reiterated that the police department still did not know the specific circumstances of the situation.

“As those involved attempt to heal from this loss, our thoughts are with everyone who has been affected by this event,” Burns said. “Anytime we lose a citizen of our city it’s very tragic. This tragedy is only compounded when it involves a child.”

Burns said the event served as a reminder for people to take extra care when exiting their vehicles, especially this time of year when temperatures are high.

When asked how long DéVonté had been in the car and whether a cause of death had been determined, Burns said he did not have that information at this time. He said police would be investigating any and all factors as part of the death investigation.

Regarding who found the child and who alerted authorities, Capt. Adam Heffley, who is overseeing the investigation, said that information was known but was not being released to protect the integrity of the investigation.

“We do have that information but are not willing to give that out at this time,” Heffley said. “That is part of the investigation that will be looked at thoroughly, worked through and at the conclusion of this given to the proper charging authorities, if that is something that they wish to pursue.”

In response to additional questions from reporters, Sgt. Amy Rhoads said that no additional details or information about the investigation could be provided at this time but that if more information became available it would be communicated.

As the Journal-World previously reported, police responded to a residence in the 3300 block of Iowa Street after receiving a call that a 2-year-old had been left unattended in a parked car just after 5:30 p.m. Sunday.

On arrival, first responders determined that the child had died.

The only residentially zoned property in the 3300 block of Iowa Street is the Easy Living mobile home park at 3323 Iowa St., behind the movie theater and divided retail building that used to be J.C. Penney.

According to the National Weather Service in Topeka, the temperature in Lawrence reached a high of 88 degrees Sunday afternoon. An online calculator says that within 10 minutes in 88-degree heat, the interior of a car can reach 107 degrees."

"A two-year-old boy died after he was found critically ill inside a hot car.

Police were called after the toddler was spotted in an unattended parked car on Sunday afternoon.

Officers from the Lawrence Police Department in Kansas, smashed their way into the vehicle but the boy, identified as DéVonté Lashawn Turner, could not be saved.

It was not immediately clear how long the child had been left in the car." - https://indiatimespost.com/boy-2-die...-31c-heatwave/

[Josiegirl]

I just still do NOT get it. It's become an epidemic. What is the answer to stop it from happening?

I brought my 2 dogs to run errands with me Saturday, the day started off nice and cool, high 60's; ran into 1 place for less than 2 minutes, when I checked the temperature back in my car, it had reached 70. I said 'that's it pups, bringing you home and finishing my errands'.
WHEN will a child be foremost on some people's minds; when will they become mindful of a little child who depends on them to protect them as if their life depended on it?? When will children, once again, become a parent's most important part of their life?
Parents forgetting their child in a car? Parents taking so many vacations without their child/red? Parents leaving their child in dc more than is necessary? Parents who cannot seem able to bring their child to the grocery anymore because they can't handle it? Parents who don't use child restraints, abuse their children, use drugs and leave their children in dangerous places while they enjoy their 'trip'.
When are parents going to realize what parenting truly involves? It means love your child, care for your child, giving up a big part of yourself for years while you protect/teach/be with your child. I'm not talking the occasional trip with SO to reconnect or putting your child with Bert and Ernie for 30 minutes so you can make dinner.
It's so sad that this speaks of such a MEMEME generation, cellphones are more important than children. A thousand things going through people's heads are more important. If life is truly that crazy for a parent, something needs to slow down. Make your life as a parent, about your child; that IS the definition of parenting. Otherwise, use birth control. :confused:

[Ariana]

So it looks like car manufacturers are making changes. Someone in my community group posted a picture from her rental car that reminded her to look in the back seat when she got to her destination. Apparently the sensor goes off if the back door was opened prior to driving.

[Josiegirl]

So it looks like car manufacturers are making changes. Someone in my community group posted a picture from her rental car that reminded her to look in the back seat when she got to her destination. Apparently the sensor goes off if the back door was opened prior to driving.

That's a start, a teeny tiny start. Maybe it should be mandatory for every single person with a child younger than 10 yo, to have a sensor installed. Usually when car manufacturers make changes, it's to new cars. Why not send letters to others, stating install a device or pay high fines.

Ariana, what is it like regarding hot car deaths in Canada?

[Cat Herder]

34

34 8/16/2019 Booneville, MS 94 Boy 21 mo
33 8/16/2019 Lindenwold, NJ 88 Milliani Robertson-Lawrence 22 mo

34. "BOONEVILLE, Miss. (AP) — Police are investigating after a toddler was found dead in a hot car in northeast Mississippi.

Booneville Police Chief Michael Ramey said the 21-month-old boy was found dead around 5 p.m. Friday in the parking lot of Mighty Cubs Daycare. Police say it appears the child had been left in the car for several hours.

That daycare shares a parking lot with an adult day care, but police said neither business had anything to do with the child's death.

Ramey says the child appears to have been left in the vehicle at a workplace elsewhere in Booneville and wasn’t discovered until the vehicle arrived at the day care.

"It's definitely a tragedy for the family and friends of this young child. It's a tragedy for the whole community here," Booneville Police Chief Michael Ramey said. "That child was left in that vehicle for several hours, and one of the parents had went to the daycare to pick the child up that evening. That's when it was noticed the child was still in the vehicle."

No one has been charged, but Ramey says officers are gathering video and statements.

Ramey did not name the child, and he stressed that the daycare was in no way responsible for the infant's death.

The body was sent to Pearl for an autopsy to determine the cause of death.

Ramey said family members are still being interviewed and said the infant’s death is “devastating” to the community." - https://wreg.com/2019/08/20/toddler-...h-mississippi/

33. A 22-month-old girl died Friday afternoon after being left inside a hot car in New Jersey.

Milliani Robertson-Lawrence was found unresponsive inside the vehicle outside the PATCO High Speed Line in Lindenwold, according to the Camden County Prosecutor's Office. The car's passenger window had been broken.

The girl's father, Nasir Lawrence, told KYW-TV he was devastated.

“Once I got the call, I thought it was a joke,” Lawrence said. “I pretty much broke down and lost my mind.”

Lawrence said that Milliani had been in the care of relatives while he was serving time in jail. He was trying to regain custody, he said.

“How do you forget that there’s a 2-year-old who makes a lot of noise in the car?” he asked. “... You killed my daughter. You took her from me.”

No charges have been filed and it's not clear how the girl ended up in the car or why the window was broken.

The investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information is asked to call the Camden County Prosecutor’s Office at 856-676-8175 or email ccpotips@ccprosecutor.org.

The majority of hot car deaths are accidental, according to NoHeatStroke.org. On average, 38 children a year die from heatstroke sustained from being left inside a vehicle. Last year was the deadliest on record, with 52 children dying inside hot cars. " - https://www.insideedition.com/father...daughter-55344

[Ariana]

That's a start, a teeny tiny start. Maybe it should be mandatory for every single person with a child younger than 10 yo, to have a sensor installed. Usually when car manufacturers make changes, it's to new cars. Why not send letters to others, stating install a device or pay high fines.

Ariana, what is it like regarding hot car deaths in Canada?

They definitely aren’t as common but it does happen in the summer which is roughly 4 months of the year. We also have a very small population compared to the USA with many states being hot all year round. Here we still treat it as an accident for sure and most news reports are very empathetic towards the parents.

[Cat Herder]

37

37 8/29/2019 Lexington, KY 84 Valen Hakizimana 2 mo
36 8/29/2019 Pineville, NC 85 Boy 1 yr
35 8/25/2019 Brownsburg, IN 80 Marah Anne Crapo 21 mo

37. "Lexington police continue to investigate the death of the newborn boy, Valen Hakizimana found dead Thursday night after being left in a hot car for several hours.

The Fayette County Coroner’s Office identified the 2-month-old boy found dead after a family member unintentionally left the child in a car for several hours Thursday. The high temperature in Lexington on Thursday was 84 degrees.
Police arrived to the home on the 1800 block of Barksdale Drive, which is in the Winburn area off Russell Cave Road, around 7:30 p.m. Thursday after learning the newborn had died.

The coroner confirmed the cause of death was hyperthermia, that is exposure to high temperatures.

“This is one of those things that as a department we hate to investigate,” Sgt. Donnell Gordon said.

“We have to do our job, and for anyone involved — the detectives, officers on scene, firemen, emergency care guys — it’s one of those cases that stick with you for your entire career.”

Officials have not stated if there will be a criminal investigation at this point.
Police did not indicate which family member was caring for Valen at that time.

According to Kentucky law, a person may be charged with second-degree manslaughter if he or she wantonly causes the death of a child younger than 8 by leaving the child in a vehicle. Second-degree manslaughter is a Class C felony.

Valen is the second child to die in a hot car this year in Kentucky and the 38th to die nationally this year, according to KidsAndCars.org. Kentucky has had 27 child hot car deaths since 1993, which is the tenth-most in the country." - http://www.theglobaldispatch.com/ken...-in-a-hot-car/

36. "A 1-year-old boy died Thursday after being left in a hot car parked at a North Carolina shopping center, police told local media outlets.

The boy's mother works at the center in Pineville, police told WSOC-TV, and realized he was in the car as she finished her shift.

This is the 37th case of a child dying of heat exhaustion in ovenlike cars nationally this year, according to KidsAndCars.org, which tracks vehicular heatstroke deaths. The case brings the toll to one short of the annual average.

Police found the boy in his car seat around 5 p.m., WCCB-TV reported, after receiving a 911 call. He was pronounced dead at a hospital. It is unclear how long the baby was inside the car, police said, and the mother is cooperating in the ongoing investigation. " - https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/...le/2158491001/

35. "BROWNSBURG, Ind. (AP) — Authorities have released the name of an Indiana toddler who died after she was mistakenly left in the car after her family returned home from church.

WRTV-TV reports that the Hendricks County coroner identified the 21-month-old girl as Marah Anne Crapo.

The county sheriff’s office says she died Sunday near Brownsburg, northwest of Indianapolis. Her parents and four siblings took naps after church. Family members mistakenly believed someone had removed the girl from her car seat and brought her into the house.

Efforts to revive the girl after two hours were unsuccessful.

The sheriff’s office says a criminal case from the “tragic loss” is unlikely." - https://wgem.com/2019/08/27/coroner-...g-left-in-car/

[Ariana]

How do you not notice your child is not in your house????

I seriously can understand accidentally not dropping off at daycare when there is a change in routine but coming home from church and you don’t realize ONE OF YOUR KIDS IS MISSING??? Ridiculous. Who are these people?