Texas Father Charged With Capital Murder After 2-Year-Old Found Dead In Hot Car

Authorities in Midland, Texas, say a 2-year-old girl was found unresponsive inside a parked vehicle Sunday evening, and her father has been charged with capital murder.

The Midland Police Department identified the father as 25-year-old Lorenzo Rodriguez. Police say Rodriguez fell asleep at his residence around 11 a.m. CDT, leaving the toddler inside a car that was not running. Family members discovered the child at about 8 p.m. CDT in the 100 block of East Pecan Avenue and emergency responders pronounced her dead at the scene.

“Based on the evidence gathered during the investigation into the death of his 2-year-old daughter, Lorenzo was charged with capital murder,” the department said in a statement.

AccuWeather meteorologists reported temperatures in Midland reached about 100°F on Sunday afternoon. Experts warn that vehicle interiors can heat rapidly: sunlight warms interior surfaces, which then radiate heat and can cause cabin temperatures to climb to dangerous levels within minutes—even on moderately warm days.

Heat Risks for Children

Children are especially vulnerable to heat because their bodies warm faster than adults’. Medical guidance notes heatstroke may begin when core body temperature reaches about 104°F, and temperatures of 107°F or higher can be fatal. Kids and Car Safety, a nonprofit that tracks pediatric hot-car deaths, listed this incident as the 15th child hot-car death in the United States in 2026 and the first in Texas this year.

Safety Advice

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and child-safety organizations recommend several precautions to prevent similar tragedies:

• Always check the entire vehicle—front and back—before locking and walking away, even if no child is expected to be with you.
• Place an essential item you need (phone, purse, work badge, or briefcase) in the back seat as a visual reminder.
• Keep vehicles locked and keys/key fobs out of children’s reach.
• Ask daycare providers to call immediately if a child does not arrive as expected.
• If you see a child alone in a vehicle, call 911 immediately. Do not assume someone else will act.

This case remains under investigation by Midland police. Authorities have not released additional details about the criminal complaint or possible motives. Out of respect for the family, officials ask the public to avoid speculation while the investigation continues.