HOUSTON — A mother has been arrested and charged with murder after her 9-year-old daughter died after being left in a hot car during her work shift, authorities say.
The Incident
According to court documents, on July 1, 2025, Gbemisola G. Akayinode, 36, parked her car in a gated employee lot of an industrial complex in the Galena Park area near Houston early that morning. Her daughter, Oluwasikemi Akayinode, was left in the vehicle while Akayinode went to work.
She reportedly lowered the car’s back windows halfway, left water, ice cubes, a small rechargeable fan, and food for her daughter, and gave the child melatonin to sleep.
Akayinode told investigators that she did not check on her daughter during her eight-hour shift, returning to find her unresponsive. Paramedics transported the girl to the hospital, where she was later pronounced dead.
Investigation & Charges
The Harris County Institute of Forensic Sciences ruled the death a homicide due to hyperthermia (heat-related). The child’s internal body temperature reportedly reached 108°F.
Akayinode was arrested on Friday (October 20, 2025) in connection with the death. She faces a murder charge and is being held on a bond of approximately $1 million.
Court records further state this was not the first time the child was left alone in a vehicle during work hours; Akayinode admitted the scenario had occurred approximately four times in total.
She claimed the arrangement stemmed from her inability to afford child care until her next paycheck, although investigators noted a co-worker had reportedly provided monetary assistance.
Context & Commentary
According to one news outlet, official records show that indoor temperatures at the site reached 99°F that day, and the vehicle’s interior rose quickly to dangerous levels.
Child safety advocates say that leaving a child unattended in a vehicle—even for short periods—can prove deadly when temperatures climb.
“At least 30 children have died in hot cars so far this year,” said a representative of KidsAndCars.org.
What’s Next
Akayinode is scheduled to appear in court again on Monday (per online jail records). Prosecutors will decide whether additional charges are warranted as the investigation continues.
The tragic death has sparked renewed attention in the Houston area to the risks posed by children left unattended in vehicles, especially during hot weather and extended work shifts.
Here’s more from ABC News.
