Police issue emotional statement as 9-year-old girl dies after being left in extremely hot car for six hours while mum was at work
A 9-year-old girl tragically died after being left inside a sweltering car for six hours while her mother worked in Galena Park, Texas on July 1. The child remained in the parked Toyota Camry with slightly open windows from 6 am until 2 pm, when her mother discovered her unresponsive.
Temperatures inside the vehicle reportedly reached 36°C (97°F) during the day, with outdoor temperatures hitting 33°C (93°F) in the Houston area. Emergency services arrived around 3:15 pm, but the girl was pronounced dead after being transported to a nearby hospital.
Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez expressed devastation during a press conference, stating, “A 9-year-old beautiful little girl has lost her life by no fault of her own.” While acknowledging potential financial struggles, he emphasized that leaving children in cars is never acceptable.
The 36-year-old mother, who hasn’t been publicly identified, has been detained as authorities await autopsy results before deciding on potential charges. Investigators are still determining if anyone checked on the child during her ordeal.
Sheriff Gonzalez urged parents facing hardships to seek alternative childcare arrangements through family, neighbors, or social services rather than risking children’s safety. “There’s just no reconciling that in my mind,” he said about the fatal decision.
USG Corporation, where the mother worked, released a statement expressing condolences and confirming their cooperation with authorities. The company emphasized employee and community safety as their top priority.
This tragic incident serves as a heartbreaking reminder of the dangers of leaving children in vehicles during hot weather, with experts warning that car temperatures can become lethal within minutes even on moderately warm days.
