A toddler died after being left in a hot car for over eight hours while his foster father was at work, authorities allege.
Hudley Owen Hamlett was found unresponsive on July 31—just two days before his second birthday—according to reports from WSET, WSLS, and The Miami Herald.
His foster father, Brian Dalton, has been arrested and charged with child abuse, neglect, and involuntary manslaughter, according to the Amherst County Sheriff’s Office.
Authorities allege Hudley was left strapped in a car seat for over eight hours before Dalton discovered the child was still inside the vehicle. He was taken to Lynchburg General Hospital, where he was later pronounced dead, WSET reported.
According to the outlet, Dalton was supposed to drop Hudley off at daycare before going to work but allegedly forgot. After spending the full workday at his job, Dalton drove to the daycare to pick up the toddler—only to be told he never dropped the child off. It was then that he discovered Hudley still in the backseat.
Staff at the daycare attempted life-saving measures before first responders arrived and transported Hudley to the hospital, WSET reported.
“This is just a tragedy that you never expect to happen—never should happen,” Amherst County Sheriff Jimmy Ayers told reporters. “As a man of faith, I would have to say that the only consolation I can find is that this little fella faced many challenges in his short life. Now, he has the ability to grow and flourish without life’s challenges in his eternal home.”
Sheriff Ayers also noted that Dalton showed remorse and there was no indication the act was intentional.
“It’s very unfortunate that our society today lives so fast,” Ayers said. “To think we live in a world where someone could forget a child in the back seat—even if they’re asleep—you just have to be mindful. Children must always be at the forefront, whether they are ours or ones we’re entrusted to care for.”
On what would have been Hudley’s second birthday, his biological mother, Jennifer Dalton, held a memorial with family and friends, WSET reported.
