A mother is facing charges after her 3-year-old daughter died from being left in a hot car as extreme heat grips Southern California, authorities said.
Around 4:20 p.m. Friday, police and fire crews responded to reports of a 3-year-old girl and her mother, Sandra Hernandez, who were both unconscious, Anaheim police said.
A family member had found the mother and daughter locked in a Ford Expedition, and it was unclear how long they’d been inside the parked car, police said.
The 3-year-old was later pronounced dead at the hospital, police said. Her “preliminary cause of death [was] suspected to be complications from heat stroke, though the official autopsy report is still pending,” police said in a statement on Monday.
The temperature reached a scorching 113 degrees in Anaheim on Friday. The temperature was about 104 degrees when the mother and daughter were discovered, police said.
Hernandez, 41, was interviewed at the hospital, and after she was medically cleared, she was arrested on charges of involuntary manslaughter and felony child neglect, police said.
Several empty bottles of alcohol were found inside the car, police said.
The investigation is ongoing, police added.
At least 31 children have died in hot cars in the U.S. so far this year, according to national nonprofit KidsAndCars.org.
At least 1,116 children have died in hot cars since 1990, the organization said.
Click here for what you need to know to prevent hot car deaths.
A tragic incident occurred in California recently, as a mother was arrested after her 3-year-old daughter died in a hot car. The heartbreaking news serves as a reminder of the dangers of leaving children unattended in vehicles, especially during the sweltering summer months.
The incident took place in a residential neighborhood in Southern California, where temperatures soared above 90 degrees Fahrenheit. According to authorities, the mother had left her young daughter in the car for several hours while she ran errands. When she returned to the vehicle, she found the child unresponsive and immediately called 911. Despite efforts to revive the girl, she was pronounced dead at the scene.
The mother was arrested on suspicion of child endangerment and is currently facing criminal charges. The tragic death of the 3-year-old girl has sparked outrage and sadness in the community, with many questioning how such a devastating event could have occurred.
Leaving children unattended in hot cars is a dangerous practice that can have deadly consequences. The temperature inside a car can rise rapidly, even on mild days, posing a serious risk of heatstroke and dehydration for young children. In fact, studies have shown that a car can heat up to dangerous levels within minutes, even with the windows cracked open.
It is crucial for parents and caregivers to always be vigilant when it comes to the safety of children in vehicles. Never leave a child unattended in a car, even for a short period of time. Always double-check the backseat before locking the car, and make it a habit to place important items like cell phones or purses in the backseat as a reminder to check for children.
In addition, it is important to educate yourself and others about the dangers of leaving children in hot cars. Spread awareness about the risks and consequences of heatstroke in vehicles, and encourage others to take precautions to prevent such tragedies from happening.
As we mourn the loss of the 3-year-old girl in California, let us use this heartbreaking incident as a reminder to always prioritize the safety and well-being of children. Let us work together to prevent future tragedies and ensure that no child suffers from the devastating effects of being left unattended in a hot car.
