A 9-year-old girl died after her mother left her in a car during an almost 100-degree day in Texas while she worked an eight-hour shift. The incident occurred when the mother returned to her vehicle on Tuesday in Galena Park, near Houston, and discovered her daughter unresponsive.
The mother, 36, had left her daughter with water and cracked windows, but she wasn’t parked in a shaded area, even though temperatures soared to 97 degrees that day. Authorities noted that the sheriff, Ed Gonzalez, expressed uncertainty about whether anyone had checked on the girl during the mother’s shift from 6 AM to 2 PM.
“The beautiful nine-year-old girl lost her life because of herself,” Gonzalez said during a press conference.
The mother was taken into custody on Tuesday but was released the next day, pending autopsy results, with the sheriff’s office continuing its investigation before any charges were laid.
The sheriff emphasized that there is no acceptable justification for leaving a child in a car, particularly in such extreme heat. “It’s illegal in Texas to leave children unattended in vehicles,” he pointed out, mentioning that Texas is one of 21 states with similar laws.
“There’s always a risk of harm or death. I have to think about alternative arrangements, even if it’s just with my employer,” he added, highlighting that if anyone faces difficulties, they should collaborate with neighbors, family, or social service agencies.
Statistics show that, on average, around 37 children die each year in the U.S. due to similar incidents, as reported by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
USG Corp. confirmed a medical emergency involving a child and expressed condolences to the family and those affected by this tragedy.
