A heartbreaking tragedy occurred when a tiny baby girl named Diana Sofia De Los Santos died after being left in a hot car just two months after her adoptive parents brought her home as a newborn. On June 13, around 12:20 am, Diana was discovered unresponsive in an SUV outside her family’s home in Santee, San Diego.
She had been left in the car for several hours, despite the weather being only 63°F, which can still cause the interior temperature of a car to rise to dangerous levels. A family member found her and immediately called 911, but despite being rushed to the hospital, Diana did not survive.
The San Diego County Sheriff’s Office is investigating how Diana was left in the car and who was responsible. No charges have been filed yet. Studies show that even on a mild day, the temperature inside a car can escalate rapidly, reaching 104°F in just half an hour on a 70°F day and up to 115°F in an hour. The human body’s organs begin to shut down at 107°F, making such conditions deadly, especially for children.
Diana’s adoptive parents, Romer and Jayson De Los Santos, had taken her home on April 11 after flying to Arizona to meet her in the hospital. They had adopted Diana with dreams of providing her with a loving home, joining their two-year-old son, who was also adopted. The couple had posted an adoption profile online in November, expressing their desire to expand their family and share their lives, which included beach outings, park visits, and fostering kittens.
Romer works as a senior consultant at Jama Software, while Jayson is a stay-at-home dad. They have been together for over 20 years and got married in 2008 during the brief period when same-sex marriage was legal in California. The couple lives in a three-bedroom house bustling with pets, including dogs, cats, chickens, fish, and parakeets. Romer enjoys gardening, while Jayson cares for the animals and collects eggs from the chickens.
The community described the De Los Santos family as loving and caring parents who were often seen playing with their children. Neighbors expressed their shock and sorrow over the tragedy, noting the couple’s dedication to giving their children a happy and healthy upbringing.
Diana’s death highlights a devastating reality: around 37 children die each year in the U.S. from being left in hot cars. In California alone, there have been at least 56 such deaths since 1998. Children’s bodies warm up three to five times faster than adults, making them particularly vulnerable to heatstroke, which begins when the body temperature reaches 104°F. Temperatures inside a car can soar to 140°F on a 95°F day, even with a window slightly open.
California law imposes fines and potential criminal charges for leaving children in hot cars. However, parents who unintentionally forget their children in vehicles often face no charges, as the loss itself is considered severe enough punishment. Despite this, some parents have been charged with manslaughter and faced jail time.
Experts explain that such tragedies can happen to anyone, regardless of race, socioeconomic status, or occupation. Parents often function on autopilot, losing awareness of a child’s presence in the car. To prevent these incidents, safety advocates suggest placing a reminder in the front seat or putting essential items in the back seat with the child. Additionally, vehicles should always be locked, and keys kept out of reach to prevent children from accidentally locking themselves inside.
This incident serves as a tragic reminder of the importance of vigilance and safety measures to protect children from the dangers of hot cars.