A Nebraska woman was recently arrested after her five-year-old child died in a heat-related death after being left in an unattended vehicle. Forty-year-old Juanita Pinon faces a charge of child abuse by neglect, resulting in death, following the tragic incident that occurred earlier this week on Wednesday in Omaha. The danger of leaving children and pets inside unattended vehicles during the summer months cannot be understated.
According to the Omaha Police Department, officers found the child in the back of a vehicle before they were transported to a local hospital for treatment. Unfortunately, they were pronounced dead upon arrival. “Omaha Police Officers were called to 3025 N 93rd Street at approximately 5:11 pm on Wednesday July 10, 2024, for an unresponsive child,” police said in a statement. “The 5-year-old child was located inside of a vehicle and transported to the hospital by medics where the child was pronounced deceased.”
The statement noted that the child had been left in the vehicle for an “extended period of time,” which proved to be deadly. Reportedly, the temperature in Omaha peaked at 86 degrees on Wednesday before the child was discovered in the car. “At this time, it appears that the child was left unattended inside of a vehicle for an extended period of time,” the police added.
Reports indicate that the incident in Nebraska marks the tenth hot-car-death in the United States so far this year. Just one day prior, a two-year-old girl died in Marana, Arizona, after being left alone in a vehicle. “Initial information revealed the father of the 2 year-old girl arrived home while she was asleep in the vehicle. The father left the vehicle on and running in the driveway, with the air conditioning on and child inside,” per the Marana Police Department.
Despite leaving the air conditioning on in the car, it evidently stopped running at some point, leading to the child’s death.”He then went inside the residence. The mother was not initially home, but shortly after she arrived, the child was discovered in the vehicle, which was no longer running and the air conditioning was off,” the authorities said. The temperature peaked at 111 degrees in Maran on Tuesday.
Another common heat-related accident across the nation occurs when people accidentally leave their pets in hot vehicles for too long. Last month, The American Tribune reported on news that a Missouri K-9 officer had died after being left in an hot car overnight. The Savannah Police Department confirmed that the beloved K-9 named Horus was left alone in the vehicle after finishing a shift.
“Horus’s death is currently being investigated,” Police Chief David Vincent said in a statement on the incident. “Due to this being an open investigation, there will be no further information released until the investigation is completed. The entire department would appreciate your thoughts and prayers, as we deal with the loss of our partner, Horus.”
“The Andrew County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office is deeply saddened to learn of K-9 Horus’ passing. We are grateful to him for his service to our community. I have requested a special investigation through the Missouri State Highway Patrol. I will await the results of this investigation prior to making any determination of necessary action,” Andrew County Prosecuting Attorney Monica J. Morrey said.
"*" indicates required fields