11-month-old twins die after 'dad forgot them' in hot car
Temperatures passed 30C as the twins remained stuck in their father's car while he went to work.
Sunday 28 July 2019 06:11, UK
Twins who were left in a car for eight hours after their father apparently forgot they were there have died, say police.
The 11-month-old boy and girl were left in the Honda Accord on Friday morning while the man went to work at a New York City hospital.
Juan Rodriguez, 37, has been charged with criminally negligent homicide and manslaughter for each child.
Temperatures passed 30C (85F) during the day but even an outdoor temperature of just 16C (61F) can be fatal inside a closed car, where the temperature can climb rapidly.
Mr Rodriguez is said to have got in his car after work and driven a short distance before remembering his children, Mariza and Phoenix, were still strapped in their seats.
He jumped out and screamed, according to the New York Times.
Police were called at 4pm on Friday by a member of the public who said one of the babies was not breathing, but both babies were dead when help arrived.
Mr Rodriguez is reported to be a social worker.
The deaths come after last week's heatwave, which prompted officials to warn parents against leaving their children in cars.
According to kidsandcars.org, there have been 21 deaths this year in the US as of 16 July.