Police issue emotional statement as 9-year-old girl dies after being left in extremely hot car for six hours while mum was at work

A tragic incident occurred on July 1 in Galena Park, Texas, when a 9-year-old girl died after being left in a hot car for six hours while her mother worked a shift at United States Gypsum.

The child had been left inside a white Toyota Camry from around 6 a.m. to 2 p.m., with only slightly rolled-down windows and a bottle of water. When her mother, 36, returned to the car, she found her daughter unresponsive and called emergency services at about 2:06 p.m.

Authorities reported that the temperature inside the vehicle had risen to 36°C (97°F), while outside temperatures reached around 33°C (93°F). The mother has since been detained, though her name has not been released.

Paramedics arrived at the scene at approximately 3:15 p.m. and rushed the girl to Harris Health Lyndon B. Johnson Hospital, but she was later pronounced dead. Investigators are now awaiting autopsy results before deciding on any charges.

Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez expressed his heartbreak during a press conference, emphasizing that the girl died through no fault of her own. He acknowledged the mother’s likely struggles but insisted that leaving a child in a car is never acceptable.

Sheriff Gonzalez urged parents to seek support from employers, neighbors, or social services in difficult situations, stressing that the risk to a child’s life is never worth it.

A spokesperson for USG Corp confirmed the incident, offered condolences, and assured full cooperation with authorities during the investigation.