Two-Year-Old Dies in Car from Overheating, Silver Spring, MD

Date: Wednesday May 7, 2025
Location: Arcola Elementary in Silver Spring, Montgomery County, Maryland

Conditions: AccuWeather meteorologist Alexander Duffus, "Temperatures reached into the low to middle 70°s near Silver Spring, Maryland with some high clouds and partial sunshine in the afternoon. This time of year with temperatures even in the low 70°s and some sunshine, interior car temperatures can quickly rise above 100°F within a matter of 15 to 20 minutes. This can quickly create dangerous conditions for people and animals inside the interior of vehicles.”

Emergency Response: “The officers got there. They found a toddler who was unresponsive. The parents were distraught, and the toddler was taken to an area hospital where she was pronounced dead,” said Montgomery County Police Spokesperson Sheira Goff.

Situation: The father dropped one child off at school but allegedly forgot to drop his 2-year-old off at a babysitter, and it wasn’t until hours later that the child was found, and by then it was too late.

Recommendations KidsandCars.org: The inside of a vehicle heats up VERY quickly. Even with the windows cracked, the temperature inside a car can reach 125° in minutes. 80% of the increase in temperature in the car happens in the first 10 minutes. Cracking the windows does not help slow the heating process OR decrease the maximum temperature. Children have died from heatstroke in cars when outside temperatures were as low as 60 degrees. A child’s body overheats 3-5 times faster than an adult body. A change in daily routine, lack of sleep, stress, fatigue, and distractions are things ALL new parents experience and are just some of the reasons children have been unknowingly left alone in vehicles. Rear-facing car seats look the same to the driver whether there is a baby in it or not. Children, especially babies, often fall asleep in their rear-facing child safety seats, becoming quiet, little passengers.

Sources: Monica Danielle, AccuWeather; Brad Bell 7ABC News; kidsandcars.org/hot-cars/facts-sheets