HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. — The world of South Florida mother Cristina Lopez shattered on Sunday.
That’s when police notified her that her 2-year-old daughter Brittany had died after being left inside a vehicle for about three hours while in the care of a babysitter.
According to Lopez, the sitter asked an older relative to care for the child. That older man suffers from dementia, authorities said.
Now, Lopez says all she asks for is justice for her daughter.
Hallandale Police Department Chief Grace Mariot says the investigation remains active as they await the medical examiner’s final report.
“This is a tragic event. No parent should have to endure the pain that this parent is enduring,” said Mariot. “We are waiting for the Broward County State Attorney’s Office to make a determination on whether charges are going to be filed.”
Added Mariot: “We urge the public, any caregiver, to make sure that you check the back seat.”
Retired Miami Police Department Chief Jorge Colina explained that there are complexities of coming to a charging decision in cases such as this.
“They could explore every potential charge that is on the table, but ultimately it is all going to be about what did the babysitter know, how old is the babysitter, does the babysitter even understand what dementia is, did they even understand how sick this person is and how their brain works,” said Colina.
“It is complicated, unfortunately. What did this person know? What is the real condition of this person? They may even have to go speak to a doctor as an expert as to what level of dementia did this person have and what did the babysitter know when the decision is made to pass on the responsibility?” he added.
Colina continued: “What makes them difficult is that you have to prove criminal intent, so in order for a prosecutor to secure a conviction for manslaughter or murder, they are going to have show gross negligence or a complete disregard for life. Normally what happens in these cases is that it is a tragic accident, whether it is a terrible lapse of memory, or forgotten baby syndrome or something along these lines, and it is someone who is really close to the baby.
Not only are you going have to prove criminal intent, but you are also mindful that if you have to go in front of jury, and it is a family member, and they are already devastated by a tragic loss, a jury is probably not want to punish them further," he said.
There will likely be much more to learn as investigators comb through details on the specific circumstances leading up to the toddler’s tragic death.
“Is this something that has happened in the past? Does the mom know that,” said Colina. “That in the past she left the toddler with the babysitter who has explained if she has to run and get food or something, will leave the toddler with her dad or grandad, happened a dozen of times and never been an issue? These are just some of the many questions that are going to be asked because it is all going to matter. It is all going to go into the decision of do they charge, and what is that charge?”
Colina added that it is important, especially for caregivers where caring for a young child is perhaps outside their daily routine, to place an item in the back seat with the child such as a purse, or laptop, as a reminder.
The Hallandale Police Department released the following statement to Local 10 News:
“Chief Michel again extends his condolences to the family and emphasizes the importance of preventing similar tragedies. ‘This tragedy has touched our entire community,’ the statement read ‘While nothing can undo the pain this family is experiencing, our hearts remain with the child’s family. We hope this child’s story inspires every caregiver to adopt one simple habit: always check the back seat before leaving your vehicle. Taking one extra moment could prevent another family from experiencing this unimaginable loss.”
The family has set up a GoFundMe page to help with expenses.
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