Baby found in hot car was dead for at least 4 hours, officials say

PEORIA, Ill. (WMBD) — A 1-month-old who was found unresponsive Monday night in an Illinois city had likely been dead for at least four hours, according to officials, who believe the baby was left in a hot car.

“I can’t sugarcoat it,” Peoria County Coroner Jamie Harwood said. “Those are the facts. There is no silver lining.”

Harwood implored residents to not leave kids in cars, even for a short period.

Harwood said it was clear that the baby, identified as Grayson Luncsford, had been dead for hours. The baby died from severe hyperthermia and dehydration. Hyperthermia is when the body gets too hot.

“I’ve been in the job for eight years and very few things have made me that upset and hit me like that,” Harwood said.

A relative opened up the car door and took the baby out, placing him on a grassy lawn, where police found him, officials said.

Andrea Luncsford, 25, was taken to the Peoria County Jail on a charge of endangering the life and health of a child, officials said.

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