A 29-year-old Georgia mother is facing second-degree murder charges after her one-year-old son died in a hot car outside the hospital where she works. Deja Coleman had dropped off her two older children at daycare before driving to Northside Gwinnett Hospital. She forgot the infant was still in the backseat. Police broke the window around 4 p.m. on July 29, but the child was already dead. The interior of the car reached 117 degrees an hour later.
Police say Coleman was “devastated” by what happened. She has been charged with second-degree murder and second-degree cruelty to children. But the police captain who spoke to the media offered a different kind of warning. She urged parents to slow down, get enough sleep, and ask for help when life feels overwhelming. It was a reminder that exhaustion and busy schedules can lead to tragic lapses.
On the Suncoast, where summer heat is a constant companion, this story hits close to home. It’s easy to get caught up in the rush of daily life. But this tragedy reminds us to build in small safeguards. Put your phone in the backseat. Leave your wallet or bag next to the car seat. Ask a friend or neighbor for a reminder call. What do you do to make sure no one gets left behind in the car?
