Georgia Mother Allowed To Attend Son’s Funeral After Hot-Car Death, Faces Second-Degree Murder Charge

A memorial for 17-month-old Daniel Coleman is scheduled for 1 p.m. Saturday in Atlanta. His mother, 29-year-old Deja Coleman, won a legal fight to attend the service but will travel in a police vehicle and may remain in custody. Coleman has been jailed since July 29, the day Daniel died after being left in the family car.

What Happened

According to police and family accounts, Coleman parked in the employee lot at the hospital where she worked as an assistant nurse, walked her two older sons (ages 6 and 4) into the daycare and inadvertently left Daniel in the car. The toddler later died of hyperthermia. Neither Coleman nor law enforcement disputes that sequence of events. Family members and friends describe Coleman as a devoted, upbeat mother; her pastor said she "would run through a brick wall for those children."

The Charges And Legal Issues

Prosecutors charged Coleman with second-degree murder, a conviction in Georgia that carries a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years. Her attorney has argued for reduced charges and release on an unsecured bond; those motions have been denied so far. After the funeral, Coleman will be returned to custody. Her next court date is scheduled for Sept. 9.

Context And Expert Perspective

Experts and advocates say many hot-car deaths reflect a phenomenon commonly termed "Forgotten Baby Syndrome," in which stress, sleep deprivation and routine disruptions trigger catastrophic memory failures rather than intentional harm. From 1998 through 2025, available data show an average of about 38 children per year died after being left in hot vehicles in the United States. As of 2025, roughly 40% of comparable cases result in no criminal charges when investigators find no additional negligence.

"These tragedies are not necessarily the result of parents recklessly disregarding their children's safety. They can be the result of catastrophic failure of human memory," said Amber Rollins, executive director of the nonprofit Kids and Car Safety. "The common denominator is not bad parenting. It's human vulnerability."

Complicating Circumstances

Coleman and her children had been living in a shelter for survivors of domestic abuse for more than a year, and she had a temporary restraining order against her husband. For safety, the shelter's location and the children's school were kept confidential. After Coleman was arrested, Gwinnett County officials returned the two older boys to their father despite the restraining order; the reporter's attempt to reach him was unsuccessful.

On the morning of the incident, Coleman reportedly woke around 5 a.m. after very little sleep. Her attorney described her condition as "medical-grade sleep deprivation." Teachers at the daycare say Coleman left Daniel's diaper bag and told staff she would return shortly; busy staff did not carry out a head count, and Coleman never came back for him.

Immediate Aftermath For The Family

Coleman’s eldest son, Dinero, is profoundly autistic and largely nonverbal. Her lawyer argued in court that continued incarceration compounds the family's suffering because Dinero's primary communication is with his mother. While the judge denied release, there has been one relief: the two older boys are now living with Pamela Adrien, the administrator of their daycare, who has been caring for them and facilitating FaceTime visits with Coleman from jail.

During one such video call, the 4-year-old Dakota asked, "Mommy, did your baby die?" Coleman replied, "Yes." After a pause, Dakota said, "It's OK, Mommy. I forgive you."

This reporting originally appeared on MS NOW.