A Georgia mother is facing charges after her 7-month-old infant died from being left in a hot car while she worked at a local car dealership.
On November 3, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) arrested Nyla Simmons, 22 without incident, following a request by the Lee County Sheriff’s Office.
Simmons allegedly left the infant inside a vehicle on October 15, at the Kia Automotive dealership on Ledo Road in Lee County, where Simmons worked.
He later passed away at the Phoebe Putney Memorial Hospital in Dougherty County. An online obituary obtained by People Magazine identified the victim as Novanni Truvan Simmons.
Lee County Coroner Hill Mackey stated that the official cause of death is pending and results can take a while. He said that the infant’s body was sent for an autopsy on October 17.
“People get upset because they think after the autopsy you should have an answer; if there is not any trauma to the child or injuries to the child, then a lot of time, you have to wait on [toxicology] and the histology, all of that, to come in and see what happened,” Fowler stated.
GBI’s release stated Simmons was charged with one count of second-degree cruelty to children and one count of second-degree murder.
AccuWeather reported the temperatures in Albany reached 90 degrees on October 17.
The investigation active and ongoing, according to GBI.
If anyone has any information regarding this case, they are encouraged to contact the GBI Regional Investigative Office in Americus, Georgia, at 229-931-2439, or the Lee County Sheriff’s Office in Leesburg, Georgia, at 229-759-6012.
Anonymous tips can also be submitted by calling 1-800-597-TIPS (8477), online at https://gbi.georgia.gov/submit-tips-online, or by downloading the “See Something, Send Something” mobile app.
Upon completion of the investigation, the case information will be given to the Southwestern Judicial Circuit District Attorney’s Office for prosecution.
Meanwhile, Simmons remains behind bars without bail. Check back for updates.
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[Feature Photo via Wilkinson County Memorial Chapel]
