A father from the United States has been sentenced to 60 years behind bars after his young daughter died in a scorching hot car while he was immersed in video games.
The heartbreaking case saw 25-year-old Kevin Toney Jr. convicted of second-degree murder for the death of his 20-month-old daughter, Rose.
A Tragic Day of Neglect
Court documents reveal that on the day of the incident, Toney had picked up his daughter from her grandmother's home in the morning. Instead of taking her to daycare as planned, he returned to his apartment in Henrico County, Virginia.
Prosecutors stated that Toney left his toddler strapped in her car seat while he went inside to play video games for several hours. During this time, temperatures inside the vehicle soared to dangerous levels.
The Discovery
It wasn't until approximately six hours later that Toney returned to the vehicle. By then, emergency services were called, but tragically, young Rose could not be saved.
Medical examiners confirmed the cause of death as hyperthermia - essentially heatstroke from being confined in the overheated vehicle.
Justice Served
During sentencing, Henrico County Circuit Court Judge James Yoffy delivered a powerful statement, telling Toney: "You were playing video games while your child was dying."
The judge emphasised the severity of the neglect, noting that Toney had made multiple trips between his apartment and the car without checking on his daughter.
This case serves as a devastating reminder of the dangers of leaving children unattended in vehicles, particularly during warmer months when temperatures can become lethal within minutes.
