15-Month-Old Baby Dies After Texas Mom ‘Intentionally’ Left Child in Car Without Air Conditioning amid Extreme Heat

A Texas woman has been accused of leaving her 15-month-old baby in a hot car while she went to work, leading to the child’s death.

On Thursday, Aug. 28, the Frisco Police Department announced in a press release that 27-year-old Vanessa Esquivel had been arrested for allegedly leaving her child in the vehicle.

The incident happened on Aug. 16, 2025, according to the release.

“Police officers and detectives with the Frisco Police Department responded to Medical City Plano and upon investigation, they learned that earlier on August 16, the child’s mother, 27-year-old Vanessa Esquivel of Dallas, had arrived at her work in the 3200 block of Preston Road at approximately 2:00 p.m.,” the statement said.

Authorities believe Esquivel “intentionally” left her baby in the car for more than two hours, knowing the air conditioning did not work. At the time, the outside temperature was at least 95 degrees.

Police have not released the child’s name or gender. The department declined to give further details when contacted by PEOPLE.

Investigators said the evidence provided “probable cause” that Esquivel committed murder because leaving the child in those conditions caused injury and endangered the child’s life.

“Because it resulted in the child’s death, her actions met the statutory requirements of Murder,” police said.

Esquivel was arrested on Aug. 20 by Dallas Police after detectives obtained a search warrant. She was later transferred to Collin County Jail.

Her bond was set at $250,000. If convicted of the first-degree felony, she could face between five years and life in prison, along with a fine of up to $10,000.