SC Toddler Dies from Heatstroke After Accidentally Locking Himself in Car
A three-year-old South Carolina boy reportedly snuck out of his home and accidentally locked himself inside a vehicle, leading to his tragic heatstroke death.
On Wednesday, July 2nd, Logan Cox escaped his family home in Lancaster County to play with the family’s dogs. The child lived with his parents and grandparents. According to police reports, the toddler’s mother, Amber Bender, fell asleep in front of the television for about 30 minutes. While she slept, Logan snuck out of the house – his grandmother said that he had learned to open the front door – and got into the family’s car with one of the family’s dogs. Unfortunately, the vehicle locked and Logan, although he could unlock car doors, was unable to push open the heavy back door.
Bender woke up and realized her son was gone. She found him in the car and immediately called EMS, who took the boy to Carolinas Medical Center in Charlotte for treatment. The toddler died from heatstroke injuries early on Sunday morning.
No charges have been filed related to the accidental heatstroke death.
Parents Arrested for Neglect After Child Suffers Heatstroke
Two parents in Memphis, TN were arrested on neglect charges on Sunday night after their child was rescued from the back of a hot car. The child is being treated for heatstroke injuries, but is in stable condition.
The parents, Matthew Brown and Brittany Zanetti, claimed that they had a “momentary lapse in judgment” when they left their child in the backseat of their car to go grocery shopping. Firefighters were called to the parking lot to rescue the child who was beginning to suffer heatstroke in the vehicle.
“She was sweating and crying so I just told my guys to break the window,” said Shelby County Fire Lieutenant Joe Rea in an interview. “And I just cannot wrap my head around how you can leave a child in a car by purpose or accident, and for gosh sakes, take care of your children.”
The temperature in the car had reached 90 degrees.
The child was rushed to Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital and is reported to be in stable condition after being treated for heatstroke injuries. Brown and Zanetti have been charged with abuse and neglect of a child under six years old. Both parents posted $10,000 bail. The child will be placed with her grandmother.
The Strom Law Firm Encourages Summer Heat Safety and Awareness
The Strom Law Firm wants to warn all parents and caregivers to take extra precautions to prevent leaving a child in the summer heat in a car. A slight change to your routine, an unexpected or unanticipated distraction, a baby sleeping peacefully in a rear facing car seat, or mental and physical exhaustion can lead you to leave your child unattended in a car. Pets, children, and the elderly are the most susceptible to heastroke injuries, and it is important to make sure to attend to their safety during the 100 hottest days of the year.
The attorneys at the Strom Law Firm have been based in Columbia, SC for 16 years, and are also licensed to practice in Georgia and New York. We offer free, confidential consultations even if it is a criminal trial, or personal injury lawsuit, to discuss the facts of your case, so do not hesitate to contact us for help. 803.252.4800.
