Overview

• A 9-year-old girl was left alone by her mother in a parked car from 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. on July 1 at a Galena Park manufacturing lot and died of heat exposure after being found unconscious.
• The 36-year-old mother was arrested on charges of child endangerment and is awaiting prosecution.
• Law enforcement officials are interviewing her to determine why she left her daughter in the vehicle, examining potential childcare, financial or personal pressures.
• According to Kids and Car Safety, this incident is the third child hot-car death in Texas over four days and the 13th nationwide so far this year.
• Advocacy groups are calling for stronger safety protocols and public awareness campaigns to prevent future heat-related child fatalities in vehicles.