UPDATE: AUGUST 26, 2024; 1:59 PM
There’s a major development in the case of a 9-month-old baby who died after being left inside a locked car on August 21. The Beeville Chief of Police tells KRIS 6 News that they expect to make an arrest in the case on Tuesday, August 27. That’s when the grandmother who was caring for the baby will turn herself in, officials say. The Beeville police chief says she’s facing a charge of criminally negligent homicide. The 69-year-old grandmother had been hospitalized last Thursday after suffering a heart attack; however, she was released from the hospital Monday morning.
ORIGINAL: AUGUST 21, 2024; 5:16 P.M.
The Beeville Police Department and several other agencies are investigating after a 9-month-old child was found dead inside a hot car. According to Assistant Police Chief Richard Cantu Jr., it happened on the 100 block of East Flournoy Street before police received the call around 4:10 p.m. „Upon arrival, one of the officers made contact with the grandmother who was holding a 9-month-old child in her arms,“ Cantu said during an interview with KRIS 6 News reporter Alexis Scott. Cantu mentioned that the grandmother made the 911 call after realizing the child was still in the car. The Texas Department of Public Safety and Texas Rangers are also assisting with the investigation.
“We contacted the Texas Rangers to assist us in the investigation due to the fact of their skills and the resources that they have and they are alongside with our detectives,“ Cantu added. This is not the only family dealing with a tragedy like this. The same incident happened on Tuesday near Corpus Christi’s south side. Our KRIS 6 News reporter, Fernando Arevalo, reported that a 22-month-old was left inside a hot car at Tom Browne Middle School. Police say the mother, Hilda Adame, forgot to drop the child off at daycare and now faces charges.
Cantu emphasized the importance of staying cautious during these hot summer months. “The time and season that we’re in right now, we need to be more aware and more cognizant of who we have in the vehicle,“ Cantu said. „When a vehicle comes to a standstill or park, and you exit the vehicle, to make sure you get everybody out of that vehicle.“ The parents of that child in Beeville were notified and it’s unclear where they were at the time of the incident. No word on whether charges will be filed.
The tragic incident involving the 9-month-old baby left inside a hot car has shocked the community of Beeville and brought attention to the dangers of leaving children unattended in vehicles. The news of the grandmother facing charges of criminally negligent homicide has added another layer of complexity to the case.
The investigation led by the Beeville Police Department, with assistance from the Texas Rangers and Texas Department of Public Safety, highlights the seriousness with which law enforcement is treating this case. The collaboration between agencies underscores the need for a thorough and comprehensive examination of the circumstances surrounding the child’s death.
The parallel incident near Corpus Christi serves as a stark reminder of the potential consequences of such negligence. The case of the 22-month-old child left in a hot car at Tom Browne Middle School further emphasizes the importance of vigilance and awareness when it comes to the safety of children in vehicles.
Assistant Police Chief Richard Cantu Jr.’s warning about the dangers of leaving children unattended in vehicles during the hot summer months is a crucial reminder for parents and caregivers. The tragic loss of the 9-month-old baby in Beeville serves as a heartbreaking example of the devastating outcomes that can result from such actions.
As the community awaits further developments in the case and the grandmother prepares to face charges, it is essential for everyone to prioritize the safety and well-being of children in all circumstances. The lessons learned from this tragedy must serve as a catalyst for increased awareness and preventative measures to ensure that such incidents are never repeated.