A Georgia mother has been charged after authorities say her 1-year-old son was found unresponsive inside a locked vehicle where he had remained for several hours while she was at work. 💔

According to the Lawrenceville Police Department, 29-year-old Deja Coleman was arrested and charged with second-degree murder and second-degree cruelty to children following the tragic incident.

Police said officers were called to the employee parking lot of Northside Gwinnett Hospital in Lawrenceville after a hospital employee discovered an unresponsive child inside a locked vehicle.

Emergency responders arrived at approximately 3:50 p.m. and immediately attempted life-saving measures, but the little boy was pronounced deceased at the scene. 🚑

Investigators said that about an hour after the child was removed, the temperature inside the vehicle measured 117°F (47°C), despite the outdoor temperature reaching approximately 86°F (30°C) that day. 🌡️

According to police, Coleman told investigators she arrived at work shortly before 7:00 a.m. She reportedly dropped off her two older children at daycare but unintentionally failed to take her youngest child out of the vehicle before beginning her workday.

Authorities said the child remained inside the parked vehicle for nearly nine hours.

Police described Coleman as being devastated after learning of her son’s death. She was later taken into custody and booked into the Gwinnett County Detention Center.

The tragedy adds to a growing number of pediatric H๏τ-car deaths reported across the United States this year. Safety experts continue to remind parents and caregivers that even on days that do not feel extremely H๏τ, the temperature inside a parked vehicle can rise rapidly to dangerous and life-threatening levels. 🚗☀️

During a press conference, Lawrenceville Police Captain Dena Pauly urged families to take extra precautions.

“Slow down,” she said. “If you need help, seek help. Make sure you’re getting enough sleep and taking care of yourself so you can take care of your children.” 🤍

The case remains under investigation as authorities continue to examine the circumstances surrounding the child’s death. 🕊️

Source: People