9 HOURS INSIDE A 117-DEGREE CAR — A HEARTBREAKING TRAG3DY CLA-IMED THE LIF3 OF A GEORGIA TODDLER DURING WHAT WAS SUPPOSED TO BE AN ORDINARY DAY – News
A devastated Georgia mother allegedly left her baby boy to die in a 117-degree car while she worked a nine-hour shift at a local hospital.
Deja Coleman, 29, of Lawrenceville, in the parking lot of Northside Hospital Gwinnett Wednesday, until another employee spotted the toddler’s lifeless body slumped in the seat, the Lawrenceville Police Department said at a press conference Thursday, which was
Emergency responders broke the window of Coleman’s car and attempted lifesaving measures, but the tot was pronounced dead.
The inside of the vehicle had peaked at 117 degrees in the sweltering afternoon sun, according to police, who said Coleman had left her kid in the car for nine hours.
She had dropped her two other kids off at daycare before her shift, but told police she “forgot” her youngest was still in the car, the outlet reported.
The mom was “devastated” by the tᩚraɢedy, Police Capt. Dena Pauly said — but she was still charged with second-degree murder and second-degree cruelty to children, both felonies.
At least 17 kids have died after being left in hot cars this year, according to the National Safety Council. There were 34 deaths of children linked to hot cars in 2025.
Earlier this month, in the backseat of a sweltering car while in the care of a babysitter — just miles away from where a father reportedly the following week.
A Kansas couple also allegedly left their six children, including two infants, in a hot car on one of the hottest days of the year in July, according to reports and authorities.
Michael Krueger, 53, and Tiffany Krueger, 40, were each hit with six counts of aggravated child endangerment.
