Albany, GA – A 22-year-old Georgia mother, identified as Nyla Simmons, has been arrested and charged after her 7-month-old baby died inside a hot car while she worked at a Kia Automotive Dealership in Albany. Authorities say the infant was left unattended in the vehicle on a day when temperatures reached nearly 88 degrees.
Tragic Discovery at the Car Dealership
According to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI), the incident occurred on October 16, when Simmons allegedly left her baby inside a parked car while she went to work at the dealership located on Ledo Road in Lee County, in the southwestern part of the state. Later in the day, Simmons reportedly discovered the infant unresponsive and rushed the baby to a nearby hospital.
Doctors pronounced the child dead upon arrival, and an autopsy was conducted the following day. The baby’s name has not been released by authorities.
Investigation and Arrest
The Lee County Sheriff’s Office launched an investigation after Simmons brought the child to the hospital. Following their findings, the office requested assistance from the GBI. After reviewing the evidence, agents arrested Simmons on November 3. She now faces charges of second-degree murder and cruelty to a child.
Coroner Michael Fowler confirmed that while the cause of death is still pending final results, the child showed no immediate signs of trauma. Fowler told local media that toxicology and histology reports are being processed to determine the exact cause.
“If there is not any trauma to the child or injuries to the child, then a lot of time, you got to wait on toxicology and the histology, all of that, to come in and see what happened,” Fowler explained.
Extreme Heat and Danger to Children
Although investigators have not disclosed how long the baby was left inside the car, weather data from Weather Underground shows that temperatures in Albany reached 88 degrees that afternoon. Experts warn that on such days, temperatures inside a closed vehicle can rise rapidly, often exceeding 120 degrees within minutes, even with partially open windows.
Each year, dozens of children die in the U.S. due to hot car deaths, which typically occur when infants or toddlers are left unattended inside vehicles. According to national data from NoHeatStroke.org, Georgia consistently ranks among the states with the highest number of child deaths related to vehicular heat exposure.
Community Reaction and Legal Outlook
The tragic case has drawn widespread attention and sparked community outrage. Many residents have expressed disbelief that a mother could leave her baby unattended in such dangerous conditions. Authorities have emphasized that this case serves as a grim reminder of the risks associated with leaving children alone in vehicles, even for a short time.
Simmons remains in custody at the Lee County Jail as she awaits her court appearance. If convicted, she could face decades in prison.
Rising Concern Over Hot Car Deaths
Law enforcement agencies across Georgia have continued to issue warnings urging parents to always “Look before you lock.” Officials emphasize that forgetting a child in the back seat can have devastating, irreversible consequences.
Child safety advocates suggest practical measures like placing personal items—such as a phone or handbag—in the back seat, using reminder alarms, or keeping vehicles locked when not in use to prevent children from accidentally climbing inside.
A Tragic Reminder
The heartbreaking death of this 7-month-old infant has renewed conversations about the dangers of hot car incidents and the responsibility of caregivers. Authorities continue to investigate the case as they await full autopsy results.
What are your thoughts on this tragic case and the growing number of hot car deaths in the U.S.? Share your opinions in the comments below.
