Mom Charged with Murder After Allegedly Leaving Newborn in Scorching Hot Car for Hours
Andrea Luncsford/Facebook; Michael Eastwood Jr./Facebook
Peoria authorities have revealed disturbing new details about the case of Andrea Luncsford, a 25-year-old mother charged with murder and endangering the life of her 1-month-old son, Grayson Luncsford, who was found dead inside a U-Haul pickup truck on North Peoria Avenue.
The tragic incident occurred in August 2022 when police responded to reports of a deceased infant in the truck, which had been parked for several hours with its windows rolled up. A relative pulled the unresponsive baby from the vehicle, but by then, it was too late.
Peoria County Coroner Jamie Harwood later confirmed that the child had likely been dead for at least four hours, if not longer, citing dehydration and hyperthermia as the causes of death. During a pretrial detention hearing, prosecutors revealed that Luncsford had admitted to being alone with her son for most of the day, told Fox 2.
She had reportedly fed him several bottles and left one propped in his car seat for the baby to “feed himself.” When the infant fell ill, Luncsford delayed seeking medical help, leaving him in the truck for an extended period.
Prosecutor Deb Shelby recounted the chaotic scene on the night of the incident. Luncsford’s father and brother reportedly blocked her from leaving their North Peoria Avenue home, and her father banged on the truck’s window, shouting, “You killed my grandbaby.” A forensic pathologist confirmed that the infant may have been dead for up to 24 hours based on the condition of his body.
Peoria County Judge Mark Gilles ordered Luncsford held without bail, citing her as a “real and present danger” to the community. The judge also highlighted her previous convictions, including aggravated battery against a peace officer and a history of drug abuse, which she allegedly admitted to during questioning.
Luncsford, who appeared in court via video in an orange jail jumpsuit, was visibly emotional and tried to defend herself, but was silenced by the judge. Prosecutors argued that no conditions could guarantee the safety of the community, given Luncsford’s criminal record and flight risk.
Her attorney pushed for her release, noting that she was willing to undergo drug treatment and wished to mourn the loss of her son, as well as the recent death of the child’s father. The court hearing, held under Illinois’ Pretrial Fairness Act, determined that Luncsford would remain in custody until her next appearance on October 9. The charges against her carry a potential sentence of 20 to 100 years in prison if convicted.
If you suspect child abuse, you can call the Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline at 1-800-422-4453 (1-800-4-A-Child), or go to Childhelp.org. The hotline is available 24/7.
