The foster mother of a 1-year-old boy was charged after he died while left inside a hot car at a mall, according to local news.
The boy, who was not named, was found in his car seat in a car parked at a Lowe’s store at the McMullen Creek Market shopping center on Pineville-Matthews Road. The Mecklenburg County Medical Examiner’s Office later ruled of died of hyperthermia.
Aberson-Vanden Broecke is now expected to turn herself into police, police said, adding that she cooperated with investigators in the case.
Officials then learned that Aberson-Vanden Broecke left the child in the vehicle for a lengthy period of time when temperatures in Pineville reached in excess of 80 degrees F.
Police said she was working at a nearby shopping center before she called 911 about the child.
Children Heatstroke Deaths
According to Kids and Cars, 132 children died from non-traffic fatalities in 2018. Of those, 52 died from heatstroke. The data was for children 14 years old or younger.“These data vastly underestimate the true magnitude of non-traffic fatal incidents involving children,” the group stated.
“The National Safety Council advises parents and caregivers to stick to a routine and avoid distractions to reduce the risk of forgetting a child. Keep car doors locked so children cannot gain access, and teach them that cars are not play areas. Place a purse, briefcase or even a left shoe in the back seat to force you to take one last glance.”
What’s more, Null said the bodies of small children heat up three to five times faster compared to adults. “So, while you and I could be in a car that’s, say, 109 degrees, an infant or small child would be to the point of entering heat stroke,” he said.