A 2-year-old boy, Jacob Eliel Vieras, tragically died after being found “blue-faced” inside a sweltering car, with investigators suspecting it was not an “accident.”
The heartbreaking incident occurred outside Jacob’s Georgia home on Tuesday evening. Cobb County Police reported that the toddler was left in the hot car “for an extended period of time.” Officers arrived at the scene just before 7 pm and rushed Jacob to the hospital, but he sadly did not survive.
Neighbor Amy Barnes described the scene to Atlanta News First, stating, “Next thing I know, people are screaming, and 911 got called. It’s a tragedy.” She recalled seeing the child “blue-faced” when he was brought into the house.
Police have confirmed that it is too early in the investigation to determine whether anyone will face criminal charges. They have also stated there is no evidence to suggest the young boy was accidentally left in the vehicle but have declined to provide further details at this time, reported WAFB.
Cobb County Police Chief Stuart Vanhoozer extended his sympathies, saying, “My only role is to extend our sympathies to the family and the friends and the neighbors and all those who were affected by this tragedy. We need some time to sort this out before we really know what happened.”
A family friend described Jacob’s death as an “accident” on a GoFundMe page set up to cover funeral costs. The fundraiser wrote, “My brother Noel just lost his 2-year-old son in an accident and the family didn’t have insurance to bury him.” They added, “I’m asking and praying the people here can help raise this for the family. It is a very tough time for them. He was [an] amazing outgoing kid that loved his dad very much.” Over £4,000 has been raised, and a memorial service was held at the Iglesia Pentecostal Roca de Salvacion on Saturday.
This tragic incident comes shortly after a similar case in Florida, where a woman was arrested for allegedly leaving her 2-year-old grandchild in a hot car while grocery shopping. Elena Grady, 63, faces charges of child neglect causing great bodily harm after the child was found alone in a car parked in full sun. Volusia County sheriff’s deputies were called to the scene, and the child “appeared lethargic” inside the car, which was not running and had its windows cracked.
The Volusia Sheriff’s Office posted a warning on Facebook, “Let’s avoid tragedy and remember NOT to leave children, pets, or vulnerable adults in a hot vehicle even if it’s only supposed to be a few minutes.” Grady was released after posting her £2,000 bond just after midnight on Wednesday, according to jail records.