Nebraska Boy Dies After Being Left Alone Inside Hot SUV, Foster Mom Arrested

The Omaha community is reeling after the tragic death of 5-year-old Nebraska boy Dionicio Perez, found unresponsive in a vehicle on Wednesday, leading to the arrest of his foster mother.

Juanita Pinon, 40, has been arrested and charged with child abuse by neglect, resulting in death, after Dionicio was discovered in an SUV parked near a strip mall at 93rd and Binney streets, according to 6 News.

Police responded to the scene after reports of an unresponsive child around 5:11 PM on July 10, 2024. Dionicio was rushed to the hospital but was pronounced dead shortly after arrival.

Investigation and Speculation on Circumstances

Police suspect the Nebraska boy had been left unattended inside the vehicle for an extended period, likely in the sweltering heat, though official confirmation awaits autopsy results.

The day's high temperature in Omaha had reached 89 degrees Fahrenheit, adding urgency to understanding the circumstances surrounding the tragedy.

Dionicio was the youngest of six children, with his biological mother relinquishing custody of him and his two younger siblings to Pinon due to concerns about her ability to care for them safely.

Nebraska foster mom Pinon is described as a family friend who became a foster parent.

She assumed responsibility under a power of attorney granted by the children's mother, navigating Nebraska's foster care regulations, which mandate background checks for eligibility.

Rising Hot Car Deaths Across the US

The tragedy in Omaha echoes a disturbing trend across the United States, with Dionicio's death marking the tenth reported hot car fatality of the year.

Data from Kids and Car Safety underscores the persistent danger exacerbated during heat waves.

In Marana, Arizona, a 2-year-old girl tragically died after being left alone in a vehicle amid scorching temperatures, The Kansas City Star reports.

A father left his daughter in the car with the air conditioner on for 30 minutes to an hour while he went inside after running errands.

When he came back, the car had stopped, and the girl was unresponsive. Her mother was also out running errands.

The temperature soared to 111 degrees at Pinal Airpark near Marana by 4 PM, as reported by the National Weather Service.

Police are investigating why the father left the girl in the car.

Two weeks ago in California, a newborn baby girl named Diana Sofia Aleman Roman died tragically after being left alone in a hot car at her family's home in Santee, San Diego, per Daily Mail.

She was found unconscious around midnight on June 13, having been in the car for several hours. Despite immediate medical attention, she did not survive.

Detectives are investigating how Diana was left in the car and who did it, with no charges filed yet.

Studies show that on a 70-degree day, a car's temperature can quickly rise to dangerous levels, potentially causing organ failure at 107 degrees.

Diana's parents, Romer and Jayson De Los Santos, took her home on April 11 after meeting her in an Arizona hospital for the first time.

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Ross Key

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