LAS VEGAS (KTNV) — Loved ones and family gathered Tuesday night at the site where police say a 1-year-old girl died inside a hot car on Monday.
The child's father, Sidney Deal, is in police custody charged in his daughter’s death.
Officials ID child found dead in car in Las Vegas
Deal told authorities that he accidentally locked her in his car after an argument with his girlfriend, according to the arrest report.
He also told police that he believed the air conditioner was on and that the little girl was initially walking back and forth in the car because he forgot to buckle her into her car seat. Eventually, the little girl laid down on the floor and he believed that she was asleep.
REPORT: Father seemed more concerned about damage to car than child
However, after waiting for several minutes, an officer, who was flagged down by Deal, decided to break out the back window. The child was unconscious upon removal and the patrol officers began CPR.
Deal was booked on one charge of child neglect resulting in substantial bodily harm.
Artavia Wilson, Sydney Deal's mother, rejected comments in court on Tuesday that her son was negligent. She said her son thought his daughter was in air conditioning with the car running.
Father of child found dead misses court due to medical refusal, family speaks outside courthouse
"My son is a great father," said Wilson. "My son is a very responsible young man."
