“A Tragic Mistake”: Texas Mother Charged After Toddler Dies in Hot Car
Photo: Corpus Christi Police Department
In a heartbreaking incident, a Texas mother is now facing serious charges after her toddler tragically died when left in a hot car. Hilda Ann Adame, 33, was arrested and charged with injury to a child, serious bodily injury, abandonment, and endangerment of a child, according to a press release from the Corpus Christi Police Department on Tuesday, August 20.
The charges stem from the death of Adame’s 22-month-old daughter, Harley Adame, who was left in a vehicle while Adame went to work, reportedly forgetting that she was supposed to take the child to daycare. According to KIII TV, which cited a probable cause statement from the Corpus Christi Police Department, Adame works for Communities in Schools, a nonprofit organization that supports at-risk students.
“Harley was asleep in the vehicle when Hilda arrived at Tom Browne Middle School at 8:00 a.m. where she works, and she forgot Harley was in the vehicle and proceeded to go into the school,” an arrest affidavit reads, as reported by KRIS-TV.
The tragedy unfolded when the toddler was left in the vehicle from around 8 a.m. until approximately 1:29 p.m., when officers were dispatched to the school’s location on Schanen Blvd, according to the police press release. It was only then that Adame realized what had happened and rushed into the school with Harley, desperately seeking help.
Upon arrival, the Corpus Christi Police Department and the Corpus Christi Fire Department found the school nurse performing CPR on the child. Despite their efforts, Harley was transported to Driscoll Children’s Hospital, where she was pronounced dead at 1:53 p.m., as reported by KIII TV.
The devastating incident has sent shockwaves through the community. Corpus Christi Independent School District (CCISD) and school officials acknowledged the tragedy in a statement. “Corpus Christi ISD and school officials are aware of a young child being found in a hot car Tuesday at Tom Browne Middle School. We want to express our gratitude to those who swiftly responded upon learning of this crisis, including school staff as well as district police and local law enforcement,” said CCISD Chief Communications Officer Leanne Libby.
The tragedy occurred on a day when the City of Corpus Christi was under an excessive heat warning. The National Weather Service had forecasted dangerously high heat index values, reaching up to 118°F on Tuesday, with similar conditions expected the following day. As the community mourns this tragic loss, the case serves as a stark reminder of the deadly consequences of leaving children unattended in vehicles, especially during extreme heat.
