TX - Boy, 5, dies in hot car after mom left him for 2-3 hours, thought he could get himself out while readying birthday party, Harris Co,12 June 2022

[imstilla.grandma]

The Harris County Sheriff's Office is investigating the death of a child left in a hot car, according to Sheriff Ed Gonzales.

It is the second hot car death this year in Texas, both in Harris County, and the fifth nationwide. Texas leads the nation in hot car deaths.

Harris County Pct. 3 units were dispatched to a cul-de-sac in the 13700 block of Blair Hill Lane in northeast Harris County at about 3:20 p.m. Monday.

According to the Sheriff, the mother was rushing home to prepare for a birthday party and left her 5-year-old son in a vehicle for two to three hours before realizing he was in there.

Sheriff Gonzales says earlier in the day, the mother and her two children - the 5-year-old victim and an 8-year-old daughter- went to a store as part of the mother's preparations for the 8-year-old's birthday celebration.

In the rush to get organized for the party, the mom and daughter got out, but the boy remained in the back, still strapped to his seat.

According to Gonzalez, the mother went inside to prepare for the party because the son knew how to unbuckle himself and get out.

But it wasn't until two or three hours later when she called for the child that she realized where her son was, the sheriff said.

Gonzalez added that investigators believe the vehicle is a loaner and that the unfamiliarity with the door safety lock may have been a factor.

The sheriff's office did not immediately say whether the mother will face charges.

Child left alone in hot car dies in Harris County

The Harris County Sheriff's Office is investigating the death of a child left in a hot car, according to Sheriff Ed Gonzales. It is the second hot car death this year in Texas, both in Harris County, and the fifth nationwide. Texas leads the nation in hot car deaths. Harris County Pct. 3 units...

cbsaustin.com

 

[neesaki]

The Harris County Sheriff's Office is investigating the death of a child left in a hot car, according to Sheriff Ed Gonzales.

It is the second hot car death this year in Texas, both in Harris County, and the fifth nationwide. Texas leads the nation in hot car deaths.

Harris County Pct. 3 units were dispatched to a cul-de-sac in the 13700 block of Blair Hill Lane in northeast Harris County at about 3:20 p.m. Monday.

According to the Sheriff, the mother was rushing home to prepare for a birthday party and left her 5-year-old son in a vehicle for two to three hours before realizing he was in there.

Sheriff Gonzales says earlier in the day, the mother and her two children - the 5-year-old victim and an 8-year-old daughter- went to a store as part of the mother's preparations for the 8-year-old's birthday celebration.

In the rush to get organized for the party, the mom and daughter got out, but the boy remained in the back, still strapped to his seat.

According to Gonzalez, the mother went inside to prepare for the party because the son knew how to unbuckle himself and get out.

But it wasn't until two or three hours later when she called for the child that she realized where her son was, the sheriff said.

Gonzalez added that investigators believe the vehicle is a loaner and that the unfamiliarity with the door safety lock may have been a factor.

The sheriff's office did not immediately say whether the mother will face charges.

Child left alone in hot car dies in Harris County

The Harris County Sheriff's Office is investigating the death of a child left in a hot car, according to Sheriff Ed Gonzales. It is the second hot car death this year in Texas, both in Harris County, and the fifth nationwide. Texas leads the nation in hot car deaths. Harris County Pct. 3 units...

cbsaustin.com

Not again. I just noticed this was June of 2022. I’m assuming their were no charges pressed?

 

[Niner]

Not again. I just noticed this was June of 2022. I’m assuming their were no charges pressed?

I just noticed that too. Since no name is in the article - I can not check the Harris county court site to see what did happen - IF she got charged.

 

[Ozoner]

It used to be that every car door had a pull knob that was easy to grip that would unlock the door.

One way to get into a car that you had locked yourself out of was to fashion the end of a coat hanger into a loop, slid the lopped end of the hanger between the window and the weather seal, hook the loop on the knob, and pull the knob up to unlock the door.

I did it many times because I was constantly locking my keys in my car back in the day. Thieves did it, too, so the car companies eliminated those knobs and made it so that the pins could be pushed down but not pulled up. Thieves always find a way, so I doubt whether that design change prevented a single car theft, but what it did do was kill a lot of kids.

 

[imstilla.grandma]

It used to be that every car door had a pull knob that was easy to grip that would unlock the door.

One way to get into a car that you had locked yourself out of was to fashion the end of a coat hanger into a loop, slid the lopped end of the hanger between the window and the weather seal, hook the loop on the knob, and pull the knob up to unlock the door.

I did it many times because I was constantly locking my keys in my car back in the day. Thieves did it, too, so the car companies eliminated those knobs and made it so that the pins could be pushed down but not pulled up. Thieves always find a way, so I doubt whether that design change prevented a single car theft, but what it did do was kill a lot of kids.

*I remember when, too. My dad was a lifelong mechanic and I must have seen him break into dozens of cars in seconds in one swoop.

*Remember this story about the Virginia dad who left his son in a hot car to die and then committed suicide last June? This article is about his wife telling her story:
"It is heartbreaking to know there are families out there right now with their beautiful children who will lose them by summer’s end in a preventable hot car tragedy," she said. "Enough is enough! We must detect to protect."

According to Kids and Car Safety, occupant detection and alert technology is currently available and costs less than $50. It provides comprehensive and compelling solutions to end these senseless tragedies.

"This technology would have saved my son’s life," Laura said. "It would have also saved my husband’s life. Why isn’t this already in every single vehicle? Why do we have to wait for more lives to be destroyed before action is taken?"

Virginia mom fights for change after toddler's hot car death

Anderson Beck was the whole world to his mom and dad. The 18-month-old passed away due to a hot car death. His mother is now fighting for change to ensure effective detection and alert technology is mandated in new vehicles.

www.foxweather.com

 

[imstilla.grandma]

Not again. I just noticed this was June of 2022. I’m assuming their were no charges pressed?

Oopsie. I’ll report to get date changed. I’m sorry.

 

[imstilla.grandma]

I just noticed that too. Since no name is in the article - I can not check the Harris county court site to see what did happen - IF she got charged.

Idk: Under Texas law, it is illegal to leave a child alone in a car for more than five minutes, if the child is younger than 7 and is not accompanied by someone 14 or older.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2022/06/21/boy-left-car-seat-texas-dies/

Texas is one of only 20 states where leaving a child unattended in a car is illegal, according to KidsandCars.org. Under Texas law, it is a class C misdemeanor to intentionally leave a child under the age of seven in a car without someone older than 14 years-old for more than five minutes, regardless of the temperature outside. If a person is charged, they can be fined up to $500.

If a child dies in a hot car, the caregiver can be charged with anything from manslaughter to murder charges, depending on the circumstances of the case. Sawtelle said in cases where a child dies after being unintentionally left in a hot car, the District Attorney’s office will sometimes present the facts of the case to a Grand Jury to decide whether to charge the caregiver for the death.

“If a parent forgot the kid in the car, it’s a tragedy,” Sawtelle said. “And so the question is: do we criminalize that tragedy, and charge the parents with a felony for something that they're going to punish themselves about for the rest of their life?”

As 100-degree temperatures continue in Houston, the risk rises for hot car deaths

When it's hot outside, it's much hotter in your car. Child hot car deaths in Houston and Texas remind us to stay vigilant

www.houstonchronicle.com

 

[Rolypolyoly]

Seriously?!. There is so much wrong with this story. OK, I can see that she thought the 5yr old would get himself out, although I personally wouldn't go inside the house and leave him to it because, 5yr olds!, but what parent of a 5 Yr old can go 3 hours and not notice they aren't there?, 5yr olds are loud, and want things, or ask questions etc, especially if you're preparing a house for a party!. I have an 8 Yr old that literally can't go more than 5 minutes without saying "Mummy"

 

[Niner]

Idk: Under Texas law, it is illegal to leave a child alone in a car for more than five minutes, if the child is younger than 7 and is not accompanied by someone 14 or older.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2022/06/21/boy-left-car-seat-texas-dies/

Texas is one of only 20 states where leaving a child unattended in a car is illegal, according to KidsandCars.org. Under Texas law, it is a class C misdemeanor to intentionally leave a child under the age of seven in a car without someone older than 14 years-old for more than five minutes, regardless of the temperature outside. If a person is charged, they can be fined up to $500.

If a child dies in a hot car, the caregiver can be charged with anything from manslaughter to murder charges, depending on the circumstances of the case. Sawtelle said in cases where a child dies after being unintentionally left in a hot car, the District Attorney’s office will sometimes present the facts of the case to a Grand Jury to decide whether to charge the caregiver for the death.

“If a parent forgot the kid in the car, it’s a tragedy,” Sawtelle said. “And so the question is: do we criminalize that tragedy, and charge the parents with a felony for something that they're going to punish themselves about for the rest of their life?”

As 100-degree temperatures continue in Houston, the risk rises for hot car deaths

When it's hot outside, it's much hotter in your car. Child hot car deaths in Houston and Texas remind us to stay vigilant

www.houstonchronicle.com

So - did you find out this woman's name? I would like to know if she was ever charged.

 

[Ozoner]

Seriously?!. There is so much wrong with this story. OK, I can see that she thought the 5yr old would get himself out, although I personally wouldn't go inside the house and leave him to it because, 5yr olds!, but what parent of a 5 Yr old can go 3 hours and not notice they aren't there?, 5yr olds are loud, and want things, or ask questions etc, especially if you're preparing a house for a party!. I have an 8 Yr old that literally can't go more than 5 minutes without saying "Mummy"

I grew up near a park that backed up to about five acres of woods. When I was 5, I would go play at the park or in the woods for a few hours at a time (often before my mother was awake because even at five I knew how to pour cereal and milk in a bowl for my breakfast—I wasn't utterly helpless like many kids are nowadays thanks to helicopter parents).

 

[Dpdan]

This names the family and says the father didn't think the mother should face charges: First picture of boy, 5, who died after mother left him in hot car on 38C day

Father now suing mother:

Plaintiffs Original Petition June 13, 2023

Plaintiffs Original Petition June 13, 2023. Read court documents, court records online and search Trellis.law comprehensive legal database for any state court documents.

trellis.law

 

[Niner]

This names the family and says the father didn't think the mother should face charges: First picture of boy, 5, who died after mother left him in hot car on 38C day

Father now suing mother:

Plaintiffs Original Petition June 13, 2023

Plaintiffs Original Petition June 13, 2023. Read court documents, court records online and search Trellis.law comprehensive legal database for any state court documents.

trellis.law

Thanks - I see she was never criminally charged - nothing comes up for her in Harris County.

 

[neesaki]

This names the family and says the father didn't think the mother should face charges: First picture of boy, 5, who died after mother left him in hot car on 38C day

Father now suing mother:

Plaintiffs Original Petition June 13, 2023

Plaintiffs Original Petition June 13, 2023. Read court documents, court records online and search Trellis.law comprehensive legal database for any state court documents.

trellis.law

I wonder why he decided to sue. I can’t blame him though. I couldn’t download the whole document so only read the first three pages.
Does anyone have access to the entire document to possibly share the remaining details? TIA

 

[Dpdan]

I can see the whole document underneath the pane where you can scroll sideways. This is the claim for $1M damages, they are requesting a jury trial:

a Loss of companionship and society sustained in the past;
b Loss of companionship and society that, in reasonable probability, will be sustained in the future;
Mental anguish sustained in the past;
Mental anguish that, in reasonable probability, will be sustained in the future; and
Pecuniary loss that, in reasonable probability, will be sustained in the future.

 

[neesaki]

Another article from 2022 with more photos.

Seems as the dad has had a change of heart with the civil suit. I wonder if it‘s possible criminal charges could follow. People going through divorce have done some terrible things as revenge against their ex…. including harming their children. Not sure in this case, but it does make me wonder.

Texas boy, 5, left to die in his mom's hot car is pictured with family

DailyMail.com can identify the Texas boy who is suspected to have died from heatstroke on Monday after being left in his mother's hot Porsche SUV as five-year-old Trace Means.

www.dailymail.co.uk

 

[Dpdan]

I wonder if the $1M damages claim is equal to the divorce settlement perhaps?

 

[Rolypolyoly]

I can see the whole document underneath the pane where you can scroll sideways. This is the claim for $1M damages, they are requesting a jury trial:

a Loss of companionship and society sustained in the past;
b Loss of companionship and society that, in reasonable probability, will be sustained in the future;
Mental anguish sustained in the past;
Mental anguish that, in reasonable probability, will be sustained in the future; and
Pecuniary loss that, in reasonable probability, will be sustained in the future.

I want to say something unkind here, but I won't.