A Florida couple has been arrested and charged with aggravated manslaughter of a child after their 18-month-old daughter was left in a hot car for hours following a Fourth of July party. The parents, Joel and Jazmine Rondon, both 33, allegedly consumed alcohol and drugs at the party, with tests later revealing the presence of marijuana and alcohol in both parents' systems over 17 hours later. Joel Rondon also tested positive for methamphetamine.
According to Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd, the family, including two older children aged 6 and 8, returned home from the party around 3 a.m. on July 5th. Jazmine Rondon reportedly put the older children to bed and asked Joel to bring their youngest daughter inside. Joel stated he saw the car door open while bringing in food, but later assumed his wife had retrieved the child when he saw the door closed. Tragically, the toddler was not discovered until the following morning, still strapped in her car seat. Even after being rushed to the hospital, the child, who had a core temperature of 104 degrees three hours after being removed from the vehicle, could not be revived.
Sheriff Judd emphasized the negligence of the parents, highlighting the role of substance abuse in the incident. He stated that the child's death was not an accident but a direct result of their negligence, fueled by drug and alcohol use. Judd underscored the devastating consequences of such choices, particularly for the vulnerable 18-month-old who was unable to escape the sweltering car. The sheriff also revealed details about Joel Rondon’s past criminal history, which includes arrests related to a shooting and gang involvement, as well as pending charges for methamphetamine possession and carrying a concealed firearm. Jazmine Rondon has no prior criminal record.
