Georgia mother charged after 1-year-old dies in 117°F car during hospital shift

Lawrenceville police announced that Deja Coleman, 29, left her 1-year-old son locked in a car parked at Northside Hospital Gwinnett while she worked a nine-hour hospital shift. A coworker later discovered the toddler slumped in the seat, prompting responders to shatter the window and perform lifesaving measures, which were unsuccessful. Investigators reported that the vehicle interior reached 117 °F under the scorching afternoon sun. Coleman told authorities she had simply forgotten the child was still in the car after dropping her older siblings at daycare.

She now faces second-degree murder and second-degree cruelty to children charges. The case contributes to the National Safety Council’s count of at least 17 child deaths in hot cars this year, highlighting an ongoing safety concern.