Overview

• A 20-month-old foster child died of hypoxia after being left in a parked car for over six hours in Linares, Spain, on May 20, 2025.
• The foster father, Rafael, has been charged with involuntary manslaughter, but the judge has declined to dismiss the case and ordered additional investigations.
• The defense argues that Rafael experienced a temporary memory lapse, potentially linked to recent pneumonia treatment, which may have caused mild oxygen deprivation affecting his brain function.
• The prosecutor has not requested pretrial detention or precautionary measures, and the foster father remains free while the investigation continues.
• The child’s biological parents have announced their intent to join the case as private prosecutors if the manslaughter charge proceeds.