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Heat Wave: Toddler Dies in Mesa Mobile Home With No AC

Thursday, August 30, 2012 10:30

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The summer heat has apparently claimed another victim. On Saturday, a 2-year-old girl died in a mobile home that lacked air conditioning, AZfamily.com reports.

Both the girl and her 1-year old brother appeared malnourished and dehydrated, according to police. While the investigation is still ongoing, the children’s mother could face child abuse and endangerment charges depending on what the investigation turns up.

The 22-year-old mother called 911 on Friday, reporting that her daughter was unconscious and wasn’t breathing. The child was pronounced dead at the scene from unknown causes, according to authorities.

Police believe that heat may have caused the girl’s death as it was extremely hot inside the trailer. While the mobile home had running water and electricity, but the air conditioning had been broken for at least a couple of days.

According to authorities, the children looked dehydrated and malnourished, but didn’t have any obvious signs of trauma. The boy was taken to the hospital for treatment. Police are still investigating the matter and haven’t yet recommended charges against the mother.

If the mother is charged, it will likely be for endangerment. If a person’s behavior is reckless enough to put others at risk of death or injury, she can be charged with endangerment in Arizona. If the endangerment involved a risk of imminent death, as it did here, it’s a class 6 felony.

Leaving your infant children in 100-degree temperatures without AC could easily kill them. That means, if the mother is found guilty of endangerment it’ll probably be a class 6 felony and punishable by up to three years in prison.

Arizona Child Protective Services have been notified about the case. According to authorities, CPS has been involved with the family in the past.

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