A Florida babysitter is facing aggravated manslaughter charges following the death of a 10-month-old girl left in a hot vehicle. 46-year-old Rhonda Jewell was responsible for the infant's care on Wednesday in Macclenny, a town near Jacksonville. Authorities say Jewell picked up the child around 8 a.m. and drove to a residence where she intended to babysit other children. Tragically, the infant was left unattended in the car until the mother arrived around 1 p.m. to retrieve her child. The baby was rushed to Fraser Memorial Hospital but was pronounced deceased.
A police report revealed that the interior temperature of the vehicle soared to over 133 degrees Fahrenheit during the five-hour period. Hospital staff reported the child's internal temperature reached the maximum reading on their thermometers, 110 degrees Fahrenheit. Jewell has since been released on bond. Sheriff Scotty Rhoden expressed the profound impact of this incident on the community, requesting respect for the family's privacy and prayers for all involved. He described the incident as "a 911 call that no law enforcement office ever wants to receive." This case follows other recent tragedies in Florida involving children left in hot cars, highlighting the critical importance of vigilance and awareness, especially during hot weather.
