North Carolina – A tragic incident in North Carolina has led to the death of a 7-month-old baby girl from heatstroke after being left alone in a hot vehicle by her 59-year-old foster mother, D. Bostick.
Authorities say Bostick left the infant in a parked minivan as temperatures soared above 90°F. The baby was found unresponsive and later died at a local hospital.
The Fatal Incident
The incident occurred on June 9, when first responders were called to a medical emergency around 6 p.m. Police arrived to find the infant in a parked vehicle, suffering from extreme heat. Despite being rushed to the hospital, medical staff were unable to revive her.
The official cause of death was determined to be hyperthermia, a condition caused by the body absorbing more heat than it can release. This condition is especially fatal for young children left in vehicles under hot conditions.
Foster Mother Arrested and Charged
Following the tragic event, Bostick was arrested and charged with involuntary manslaughter and negligent child abuse by a willful act or omission causing serious bodily injury.
Police say that Bostick admitted to leaving the baby in the vehicle for an undetermined amount of time. Temperatures that day had reached over 90°F, and even with a cracked window, conditions inside a vehicle can become life-threatening very quickly, especially for infants.
Bostick was initially booked into county jail with a $500,000 secured bond. However, she was released the next day, June 10, after posting bond. She has been appointed an attorney and is scheduled to appear in court on June 23 for a preliminary hearing.
Community Reaction and Grief
The community has been left in shock and disbelief by the tragic death. Neighbors and individuals who knew Bostick have expressed difficulty in accepting what happened. L. McDonald, a local resident, spoke out about the incident, saying, “She loved this baby.
I just don’t see her as being one of those who just left her and not realized she was there. It’s just hard to believe.”
Despite the apparent care Bostick may have had for the baby, police have emphasized the importance of accountability in this case, as the child’s death could have been prevented.
The National Crisis of Children Dying in Hot Cars
This incident adds to the growing national concern regarding children dying in hot cars. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports that more than 1,000 children have died in similar situations since 1998. On average, 40 children die every year from heatstroke related to being left or trapped in vehicles.
J. Fennell, founder of Kids and Car Safety, an advocacy group dedicated to preventing child deaths in vehicles, stated that these deaths are often unintentional, but the consequences are devastating and avoidable.
According to Fennell’s group, there have been 41 deaths in 2024 and six deaths in 2025 so far, with summer being the most dangerous season for such incidents. The group continues to push for mandatory occupant detection technology in all new vehicles to alert drivers to the presence of children or pets in the backseat.
Ongoing Investigation
At this time, the police department has not disclosed the exact amount of time the baby was left in the vehicle or the circumstances that led to her being forgotten. The investigation remains ongoing, and authorities are working to determine if this was a tragic lapse in judgment or if there were more serious factors involved.
As the case progresses, the community continues to mourn the loss of the 7-month-old girl, whose life was tragically cut short. Advocates hope this heartbreaking incident raises awareness about the dangers of leaving children in vehicles and leads to more proactive measures to prevent similar tragedies in the future.