Mom, 25, arrested after 1-month-old newborn left in hot car died of ‘severe’ hyperthermia and dehydration

A 25-year-old Illinois mother, Andrea Luncsford, was arrested after her 1-month-old son, Grayson Luncsford, tragically died from severe hyperthermia and dehydration. Authorities reported that the infant had been left in a hot car for an “extended period” of time, leading to his death.

According to the Peoria Police Department, Luncsford was charged with endangering the health and life of a child. Grayson was discovered dead on Monday evening around 7 p.m. An autopsy revealed that the baby had been left in the vehicle without food, water, or air conditioning for an extended period, as reported by WCBU. Peoria County Coroner Jamie Harwood confirmed that while it was difficult to determine exactly how long Grayson had been in the pickup truck, authorities told KBTX that the infant was inside for more than four hours.

The high temperature on September 16 reached 90 degrees, with a low of 59 degrees, according to Weather.com. Before police arrived, the baby had been removed from the truck and placed in.

“We must remember that not only an infant, but even an adult would suffer from hyperthermia and dehydration in such conditions,” said Harwood, as reported by WCBU.

“However, it happens much more quickly for an infant due to their smaller body surface area and the fragility of their bodies at such a young age.”