Florida – A tragic incident in Florida has led to the arrest of a 33-year-old father, S. Gardner, after his 1-year-old son was found dead inside a scorching vehicle.
The father left his young child alone in a hot truck for more than three hours while he went to get a haircut and later visited a local bar to drink.
Charges and Incident Details
Gardner is now facing criminal charges, including aggravated manslaughter of a child and child neglect, according to the sheriff’s office. Authorities report that the child’s internal body temperature reached 111°F by the time first responders arrived, which is far beyond survivable limits.
This heartbreaking incident occurred on June 6, when Gardner left his son in the vehicle while getting a haircut and then parked outside the bar, leaving the infant strapped in a car seat.
The temperature outside that day was 92°F, and experts warn that such conditions are dangerously high, especially for a child left alone inside a sealed vehicle. The combination of the hot weather and the fact that the child was trapped inside the car contributed to the tragic outcome.
Gardner’s Actions and False Statements
Detectives say Gardner initially went for a haircut and then parked outside a bar, where he drank for hours while his son remained alone in the vehicle.
Authorities also noted that Gardner gave multiple false accounts during the investigation, attempting to mislead both law enforcement and the public. One neighbor even reported that Gardner had claimed his child died of a fever, not heat exposure.
When first responders arrived, the child was found unresponsive, and despite life-saving efforts, they were unable to revive him.
Medical personnel recorded his body temperature at a shocking 111°F, a clear sign of hyperthermia caused by extended exposure to extreme heat. Gardner was arrested later that evening at his mother’s home and is now being held on a $100,000 bond.
Family’s Reaction and Community Response
In the aftermath of the tragedy, Gardner’s family launched a GoFundMe campaign to raise funds for the child’s funeral expenses. The campaign gathered over $2,800 before it was taken down, with the family describing their son as a “bright light” who will “forever remain in the hearts of all who knew and loved him.”
However, the fundraiser was eventually shut down, as GoFundMe has strict policies prohibiting campaigns related to individuals facing criminal charges.
The Growing National Crisis of Hot Car Deaths
This heartbreaking death is part of a larger national crisis involving children left in hot cars. According to Kids and Car Safety, nearly 40 children died in hot car incidents in 2024, with eight deaths already reported in 2025.
The organization highlights that 90% of these fatalities involve children under the age of three, many due to forgetfulness or negligence.
This particular case, however, seems to involve conscious negligence, as Gardner knowingly left his child in the vehicle for an extended period. Experts warn that even just a few minutes in a parked car can be fatal to a child.
Advocacy groups encourage parents and caregivers to establish routines, such as placing a diaper bag in the front seat or always checking the back seat before exiting the vehicle, to prevent such tragedies.
Gardner’s Legal Future
Gardner’s actions have devastated his family and sparked community outrage. He is currently awaiting his next court appearance and, if convicted, could face substantial prison time for the death of his son.
This tragic incident serves as a grim reminder of how easily negligence can turn into a devastating tragedy—especially during the summer months when the heat inside a vehicle can rise to life-threatening levels in just a matter of minutes.