Parents arrested after miscommunication led to child dying in hot car at party: police
PEORIA, Ariz. (KNXV/CNN/CNN Newsource/WKRC) - A man and woman were arrested after police said a miscommunication led to a child dying in a hot car.
An Arizona couple faces negligent homicide and child abuse charges after police said their 5-year-old son was left inside a hot car for several hours and later died.
Peoria police responded Sunday afternoon after receiving a call about an unconscious boy. Officers learned the child had been left in the vehicle for several hours, police said.
The family had returned home from church at about 1 p.m. after a baptism celebration, according to police. Investigators believe miscommunication among family members led to the boy remaining in the car.
“It appears that it was a miscommunication between family members of who was actually going to get the child out of the car,” Peoria police Officer William Kennedy told KNXV.
Family members removed the boy from the vehicle and began CPR before he was taken to a hospital, where he later died.
Mihail Sabo and Anca Sabo appeared in court Monday. They were each charged with negligent homicide and child abuse, both Class 4 felonies.
Their attorney argued the couple did not intend to harm their son and called the incident a tragic accident rather than a crime.
“This is a mother in pain,” the attorney told the court.
A judge found probable cause and set bond at $150,000 for each parent. The couple was also ordered not to have contact with each other.
Kennedy urged drivers and caregivers to check vehicles before leaving them.
“We like to say, look before you lock. Always ensure and have clear communication on who is taking responsibility for that child,” Kennedy told KNXV. “It takes two seconds to take another look and ensure and go through the car one more time, just to make sure no pets, elderly members or children are left in that car. It could save a life.”