A 36-year-old Nigerian immigrant, Gbemisola Akayinode, has been charged with felony murder in Texas after allegedly leaving her 9-year-old daughter, Oluwasikemi, to die from extreme heat inside a parked car while she was at work.
According to court documents, the tragic incident occurred on July 1, 2025, when Akayinode drove to her job at the USG Corporation mineral plant in Galena Park, a suburb of Houston, leaving her daughter inside the vehicle for more than eight hours.
That day, outdoor temperatures reached 95°F (35°C), and by the time first responders arrived, Oluwasikemi’s body temperature had risen to 108°F. The Harris County Medical Examiner’s Office later ruled her death a homicide caused by hyperthermia.
Investigators revealed that Akayinode had previously left her daughter alone in the car on at least four occasions, including the night before the tragedy.
According to prosecutors, she supplied the child with water, melatonin, and a small fan, but admitted during questioning that she never checked on her throughout her shift on the day of the incident.
Authorities said Akayinode had also placed a sunshade across the windshield, making it harder for passersby to see inside the vehicle.
“The child was left unattended in the vehicle for several hours in extreme heat,” the Harris County Sheriff’s Office said. “It’s a heartbreaking and preventable loss.”
When emergency responders eventually arrived, Oluwasikemi was found unresponsive and was pronounced dead at the scene.
Akayinode was arrested on October 17 after a months-long investigation and booked into the Harris County Jail. She initially faced a $1 million bond, which a judge later reduced to $500,000.
She now faces a felony murder charge, which under Texas law carries a potential sentence of life imprisonment if convicted.
The Harris County Sheriff’s Office has warned parents about the dangers of leaving children unattended in vehicles, emphasizing that car interiors can become deadly within minutes.
“Tragedies like this are a stark reminder that it takes only minutes for a car’s interior temperature to reach fatal levels,” one official said.
Hot-car fatalities remain a recurring concern in the United States. According to national safety data, dozens of children die each year after being left in vehicles, often due to forgetfulness or neglect.
Authorities say investigations into the case are still ongoing as prosecutors prepare for trial. The shocking incident has drawn wide public attention, raising questions about child safety, parental responsibility, and mental health awareness among working parents.
