By Aliza Chasan

July 6, 2023 / 6:01 PM

CBS News

An 18-month-old girl tragically died after being left in a hot car overnight following a Fourth of July party in Lakeland, Florida. The child's parents, Joel and Jazmine Rondon, both 33 years old, have been charged with aggravated manslaughter of a child.

According to Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd, the couple returned home from the party around 2 a.m. on July 5 and began unloading their car. Jazmine asked Joel to bring their 18-month-old inside while she attended to their other two children. Joel assumed that Jazmine had taken the toddler out of the car, as all the car doors were closed, and both parents went to sleep.

It wasn't until Joel woke up around 10 a.m. and asked his older child about the toddler's whereabouts that they discovered the tragic mistake. The child was still strapped in her car seat and unresponsive. Joel rushed the child to the hospital, but despite efforts to save her life, she was pronounced dead.

Authorities stated that Jazmine tested positive for alcohol and marijuana, while Joel tested positive for alcohol, marijuana, and methamphetamine. Sheriff Judd attributed the child's death to "pure negligence" and the influence of drugs. This tragic incident highlights the dangers of leaving children unattended in hot cars and the serious consequences that can result.