Georgia Mother Charged With Murder After Leaving 7-Month-Old Baby to Die in Hot Car at Kia Dealership

ALBANY, GEORGIA — A 22-year-old mother has been arrested and charged with second-degree murder after her 7-month-old baby died inside a hot car outside the Kia dealership where she worked, according to investigators.

Authorities said Nyla Simmons left her infant unattended inside her vehicle while she was at work at the Kia Automotive Dealership on Ledo Road in Lee County, where temperatures reached nearly 90 degrees that day.

Infant Found Unresponsive After Hours in Vehicle

The Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) and the Lee County Sheriff’s Office began investigating after Simmons drove the unresponsive baby to a local hospital on October 16.

Doctors at the facility pronounced the baby dead on arrival, and an autopsy was ordered to determine the cause of death. Coroner Michael Fowler told WALB News that while no signs of trauma were initially observed, toxicology and histology reports were still pending.

“If there’s not any trauma or injuries, you have to wait on the full toxicology and histology to see what happened,” Fowler said.

Authorities said it remains unclear exactly how long the child was left in the vehicle, but outside temperatures in Albany reached 88°F that afternoon — hot enough to make interior car temperatures lethal within minutes.

Mother Arrested After GBI Investigation

After reviewing evidence and conducting interviews, GBI agents obtained warrants for Simmons’ arrest. She was taken into custody on November 3 and charged with second-degree murder and cruelty to a child.

Investigators say Simmons went about her work duties inside the dealership while the infant remained in the parked vehicle with the windows rolled up.

Simmons remains held in the Lee County Jail without bond as authorities await final autopsy findings.

Tragic Case Highlights Ongoing Hot-Car Death Crisis

The tragedy has renewed focus on hot car deaths, which claim dozens of children’s lives across the U.S. each year. According to safety experts, a car’s interior can reach over 120°F in under 20 minutes, even with moderate outdoor temperatures.

This incident follows several similar Georgia cases in recent years where parents faced prosecution for leaving children unattended in vehicles.

For continued updates on crime and public safety stories across the South, visit ChicagoMusicGuide.com.