Girl dies after grandparents lock her in 100-degree room so she 'doesn't need the bathroom'

After a 6-year-old girl was found dead at a home in Reading, Pa., earlier this year, her condition indicated she had been locked in a room for three days with high temperatures.

She was wearing a soiled diaper for days prior to her death, resulting in severe diaper rash, according to a press release from the Berks County District Attorney’s Office provided to KYW. In addition to temperatures around 100 degrees, humidity in the room also reached 90% and there was a lack of air circulation, said authorities.

In an affidavit, police said that her caretakers would confine the girl to her room often and limit her access to the bathroom because they alleged her behavior was “destructive and harmful,” to herself and others. A witness said the girl was not provided with water and food at times because her caretakers did not want to her to use the bathroom. According to the affidavit, even the girl’s teachers were not allowed to give her food due to her grandmother’s requests.

Her death has been ruled a homicide caused by “dehydration and prolonged exposure to high ambient temperature due to child neglect,” based on autopsy results from forensic pathologist Dr. Neil Hoffman, said the DA’s office. That autopsy was conducted May 29 at Reading Tower Health and received by detectives Aug. 2.

This week, two family of the members who were responsible for the girl were arrested. A third was still at large as of Monday.

“Pursuant to District Attorney John T. Adams’ protocol, in cases where the perpetrator of child abuse is a household member, immediate family member, caretaker, or individual acting in a supervisory capacity, the investigation shall be handled by the Berks County Detectives Child Abuse Unit,” the DA’s office explained.

Per the DA’s office, officers from the Reading Police Department were dispatched to 1208 1/2 Schuylkill Avenue for a report of a 6-year-old girl in cardiac arrest on May 28. By the time she was transported from the scene via ambulance, Reading Fire and EMS personnel said that it appeared she had was already dead.

At the scene, detectives began an investigation. They learned that the deceased had been in the care of her grandmother, Jazmine A. Rodriguez, 44; her grandfather, Manuel Rodriguez, Sr., 46; and her uncle, Manuel Rodriguez, Jr., 20. Authorities conducted multiple interviews with the defendants, as well as witnesses and other persons of interest. Several search warrants were also issued and evidence was collected from the home where the child was found.

This evidence included a home surveillance video camera system. Cellular devices belonging to the defendants were also seized. Searches about how to abandon a 6-year-old girl were found on Jazmine’s phone.

Jazmine A. Rodriguez, and Manuel A. Rodriguez Sr. were taken into custody Monday at the Berks County Courthouse. Manuel Rodriguez Jr. is still at large. They have been charged with the following: Criminal Homicide, Unlawful Restraint/Serious Bodily Injury, False Imprisonment, Endangering Welfare of Children – parent, Reckless endangering another person, Tamper with/Fabricate Physical Evidence Conspiracy. However, all are to be presumed innocent until proved guilty.

While this incident occurred in a residence, many heat related deaths of people under age 15 in the U.S. occur when children are left in hot cars. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration , around 40 children in the country die that way annually. Symptoms of heat related illness can include include nausea, sweating, headache, seizures and more, said the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention .