Two additional fatalities have been reported involving children left in hot cars earlier this summer.
The pediatric vehicular heatstroke victims bring the total to 35 in the U.S. for 2024, matching last year’s count, according to Jan Null, an adjunct professor of Meteorology & Climate Science at San Jose State University.
“Two additional hot car child deaths have come to light from earlier this summer. This brings the total number of Pediatric Vehicular Heatstroke (PVH) deaths for the year to a tragic 35, the same as last year’s total,” Null told CrimeOnline in an emailed statement.
On September 11, Tre’Davyah Edwards was indicted for leaving her 9-month-old daughter in a hot vehicle in Jefferson City, Missouri, on August 17. Her bond was set at $100,000, according to KRCG 13.
Temperatures reportedly reached 89 degrees on the day of the incident, according to KOMU.
The other possible pediatric vehicular heatstroke victim was in Indialantic, Florida, on June 7.
Florida Today reports that Brevard County Fire and Rescue responded to a home in the 100 block of Sand Dollar Road, where a 3-year-old child was found unresponsive.
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The child, wearing only a diaper, was found overheated in the yard near the home, according to police. Neighbors reported the child had previously been in a vehicle.
It was reported that area temperatures reached more than 94 degrees near the time of death.
The children’s deaths mark the second pediatric vehicular heatstroke death in Florida and the first in Missouri for 2024.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.
