Death Of Toddler In Hot Daycare Van Is Ruled A Homicide

HOUSTON, TX — The death of a 3-year-old boy who was left for several hours in a daycare van on a hot July afternoon has been ruled a homicide. Raymond Pryer was one of several young children who went on a field trip adults from the Discovering Me Academy on July 20.

But he was the only child left alone in that van for four hours. According to the Harris County Medical Examiner's office, the toddler’s cause of death was listed as hyperthermia, or a severe heat stroke, after temperatures inside the van reached 113 degrees.

The case is expected to be referred to the Harris County grand jury for indictment.

READ: Child, 3, Left In Hot Daycare Van For Hours Dies

The death of Raymond Pryer wasn’t the first incident for Discovering Me Academy. In 2015, the daycare was cited for several safety violations, including a citation for not having an electronic child safety alarm that notifies the driver when a child is left in a vehicle, and a citation after inspectors said that a daycare driver failed to properly account for the students on the bus.

On Sept. 6, the state revoked Discovering Me Academy’s license and the daycare was permanently closed.

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