GALENA PARK, Texas — A mother faces felony murder charges after her 9-year-old daughter died in a hot vehicle in July. Authorities arrested 36-year-old Gbemisola Akayinode on Friday following the tragic incident that occurred while she was at work.
According to court documents, Akayinode left her daughter inside her car at a USG employee parking lot while she attended her job at the manufacturing company. She reportedly admitted to investigators that she did not check on her child during her eight-hour shift, claiming she was too busy.
The mother stated she attempted to provide some relief for her daughter by lowering the rear windows partway and providing food, water, a fan, and ice cubes, along with melatonin to help the girl sleep. Despite these measures, when Akayinode returned to her vehicle, she found her daughter unresponsive and called for assistance.
Emergency responders transported the child to a nearby hospital where she was pronounced dead. The medical examiner reported that the girl’s body temperature was measured at 108 degrees Fahrenheit, determining hyperthermia as the cause of death.
Court records revealed that Akayinode had left her daughter in the car on multiple occasions, including the day prior to the incident. She admitted to doing this around four times, stating she could not afford daycare until she received her paycheck. However, a coworker indicated they had been financially assisting her due to her difficulties.
When questioned by detectives, Akayinode stated that she had not checked the day’s weather and admitted it had slipped her mind to consider the extreme heat conditions. This oversight has raised serious concerns about the safety and well-being of children left unattended in hot vehicles.
Akayinode made her initial court appearance on Sunday. Currently, her bond is set at $500,000, with a follow-up court date scheduled for Monday. The case has drawn significant attention, prompting discussions on the grave risks posed by leaving children in vehicles during hot weather.