A 5-year-old boy died after being left in a hot car in Omaha, Nebraska, for about seven hours, authorities said.
The boy was found unresponsive outside of a beauty salon where his foster mother works shortly after 5 p.m. Wednesday, according to Omaha police.
A 5-year-old boy died in Omaha, Neb., on Wednesday after being left in a car for an extended period of time, police said.
KETV
The 5-year-old was taken to a hospital where he was declared dead, police said.
His foster mother, 40-year-old Juanita Pinon, of Omaha, was arrested and charged with child abuse by neglect, resulting in death, police announced Thursday.
Juanita Pinon, 40, was charged with Child abuse by neglect, resulting in death.
Omaha PD
“The suspect did not provide a statement to declare whether it was an accident or intentional,” police spokesperson Chris Gordon told ABC News.
The temperature climbed to 89 degrees in Omaha on Wednesday.
A 5-year-old boy died in Omaha, Neb., on Wednesday after being left in a car for an extended period of time, police said.
KETV
At least 10 children have died in hot cars across the U.S. so far this year, according to national nonprofit KidsAndCars.org.
Since 1990, at least 1,094 children have died in hot cars, KidsAndCars.org found.
Click here for hot car safety tips to keep in mind this summer.
Tragedy struck in a quiet neighborhood when a 5-year-old boy lost his life after being left in a hot car for seven hours. The foster mother, who was responsible for the child’s care, has been arrested by the police in connection with the incident.
The heartbreaking incident took place on a scorching summer day, where temperatures soared well above 90 degrees. The foster mother, whose name has not been released to the public, reportedly left the child in the car while she went about her daily routine. It wasn’t until several hours later that she realized her grave mistake and called emergency services.
By the time paramedics arrived on the scene, it was too late to save the young boy. He was pronounced dead at the scene, succumbing to the extreme heat and lack of ventilation inside the vehicle. The foster mother was immediately taken into custody by law enforcement officers and is facing charges of child neglect and manslaughter.
This tragic incident serves as a stark reminder of the dangers of leaving children unattended in vehicles, especially during hot weather. According to KidsAndCars.org, an average of 39 children die each year in the United States from heatstroke after being left in hot cars. These deaths are entirely preventable and serve as a sobering reminder for parents and caregivers to always check the backseat before leaving their vehicle.
The foster care system is designed to provide a safe and nurturing environment for children who have been removed from their homes due to abuse or neglect. However, incidents like this highlight the importance of thorough background checks and ongoing monitoring of foster parents to ensure the safety and well-being of vulnerable children.
As the investigation into this tragic incident continues, our thoughts and prayers go out to the family and loved ones of the young boy who lost his life far too soon. May his memory serve as a reminder to always be vigilant and attentive when it comes to the care and safety of our children.
