Salomao Rodrigues Faustino, 2, died from agonising heatstroke after he was left strapped into a searing 32C car for several hours – with all the windows and doors closed
A two-year-old boy who was strapped inside a blistering 32C car by a nursery teacher tragically died from agonising heatstroke after she forgot he was there.
Little Salomao Rodrigues Faustino was found close to death in the vehicle in Neropolis, in Brazil’s Goais state, on February 18 after nursery head, Flaviane Lima, suddenly remembered him and called firefighters. The tot had been strapped into his baby seat and unable to move, with all the windows closed and doors of the vehicle closed.
Experts say the temperature inside the car would have reached almost 60C after the four hours when Salomao was rescued. He was tragically pronounced dead shortly after he was rushed to Sagrado Coracao de Jesus Hospital.
His nursery boss Lima was arrested 55 miles away from the scene after allegedly attempting to flee. She was later charged with manslaughter and is being held in custody at the Provisional Prison Complex of Aparecida de Goiania, prosecutors said.
Lima had picked the tot up from his home and driven her car to the nursery, but when she parked, she forgot he was with her and locked him in. Police chief Andre Fernandes confirmed: “The owner of the nursery forgot the two-year-old child inside the vehicle, who was locked in the car for four hours in the strong sun.” In a statement, Lima’s defence lawyer Giovanni Caldas Vieira Machado said she was “deeply shaken, living the worst moment of her life”.
He also claimed Lima had tried to save Salomao’s life before paramedics arrived. He said: “There was no intention, any conscious carelessness or deliberate negligence.” In a statement to police, Lima admitted she had forgotten about Salomao because she had been busy preparing for three new pupils.
The tot’s devastated mum Giselle Faustino said: “They took my heart and joy. I can’t close my eyes without imagining your suffering. Forgive mummy, my love. I wanted to do so much for you.”
She added: “How will I get home now and not witness your joy?! (…) I can’t close my eyes without imagining your suffering. Forgive mommy, my love. I wanted to do so much for you.”
