[Carsons Mommy]

This JUST happend here in Cincinnati a year ago with a 2 year old little girl. What is wrong with these people? Accident my A$$. I don't find it humanly possible to FORGET your own child is sleeping in the backseat of the car. I don't care how busy you are or how much stuff you have going on in your life. I couldn't imagine the pain and suffering that tiny baby experienced in her last few hours. I won't even begin to say the things that I think should happen to this poor excuse for a human being.




August 21st 2008

EAST PRICE HILL-- An 11-month-old girl died this afternoon after Cincinnati police said she was left alone for hours in a minivan while her mother went to work as a professor at Cincinnati Christian University.

Sgt. Joe Briede of the homicide unit said the mother called 911 about 4:30 p.m. to report the child was dead in the car seat in the back of the Honda Odyssey minivan. The minivan was parked in the lot outside the main campus building.

Investigators said the child was in the car since her mother arrived at the campus at about 8:30 a.m. Temperatures rose steadily from 69 degrees this morning to a high of 90 degrees at 3:53 p.m. at Lunken Airport.

The mother was identified by university President David Faust as Jodie K. Edwards, a professor in the counseling department.

"This is an unspeakable tragedy and no words can express our grief, sorrow, and care for the Edwards family," Faust said. "The Bible says to weep with those who also weep, so we are supporting them with our tears and prayer."

The death of the little girl comes nearly one year since a 2-year-old child died after she was left inside a hot car for nearly eight hours while her mother went to work at Glen Este Middle School in Clermont County.

The mother, Brenda Nesselroad-Slaby, said she forgot Cecilia was in the car. The girl died of hyperthermia. No charges were filed.

Edwards is a second-year professor who mainly teaches graduate students.

"Dr. Edwards is a wonderful person, model professor and mom," Faust said. "This is a very, very caring place and she's the kind of person who exemplified that but bad things happen."

Faust said an e-mail had been sent to students, informing them of what happened. Faculty members went to students during dinner and spoke to each individually as news began to spread.

A prayer meeting will be held at 9 a.m. Thursday to support the family and help those grieving.

Faust asked that judgment about Edwards be withheld so that the community can focus on prayer.

"She is a person who deserves our support and understanding through this terrible situation," Faust said.

The dark gray Honda Odyssey was towed from the parking lot shortly before 7 p.m. Investigators removed the car seat from the back of the minivan.

Investigators were planning to interview the parents at the Criminal Investigations Section downtown.

Hamilton County Prosecutor Joe Deters was at home cooking dinner when he heard about the incident from one of his assistants.

“Obviously, it’s a tragic issue,” he said. “We have to look at the facts and decide from there. I have no idea what the facts are yet.”

In the Slaby death, Clermont County Prosecutor Donald White concluded that no crime was committed. White came under intense pressure to charge the mother with a crime, such as child endangering or reckless homicide. But White said it was tragic accident.

Cincinnati Christian University was formerly called Cincinnati Bible College & Seminary. It was founded in 1924.

There are about 1,100 students total, along with nearly 40 full time faculty members.

Half of the student body returned this week and classes for the fall semester start next week, Faust said.

As investigators wrapped up the crime scene, a quiet fell over the campus. Many students jogged by during a workout and some played football on the campus, seemingly unaware of the tragedy.

Some students who did know what happened went to the campus chapel. Faust hoped the school would get through the ordeal.

“Just because you believe in God doesn’t mean you don’t have terrible things happen to you,” Faust said.