A foster mother in North Carolina faces serious charges after a 7-month-old baby girl died when left in a hot car on a day when temperatures soared to 90 degrees, according to police.
Djuna Bostick has been charged with involuntary manslaughter and negligent child abuse after authorities found the infant unresponsive inside her minivan in Hamlet, court documents revealed.
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Police responded to a medical emergency on Charlotte Street at about 6:04 p.m., where officers discovered the baby unresponsive and began life-saving measures. The child was rushed to the hospital but later died from excessive heat exposure, as noted in the documents.
Bostick is being held at Richmond County Jail on a $500,000 bond. Police say the investigation remains ongoing.
![Hamlet Police Department – PHOTO: Djuna Tillman Bostick was arrested after the 7-month-old died in Hamlet, North Carolina.]
This tragedy adds to the rising toll of hot car deaths in the U.S. According to the nonprofit Kids and Car Safety:
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29 children died in hot cars in 2023
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41 in 2024
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6 so far in 2025
The organization points out that legal outcomes in these cases vary:
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50% of cases end with no conviction
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31% result in convictions
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The remaining 19% are still pending or unclear
Experts say most hot car deaths are accidental and often don’t involve abuse, neglect, or drugs.
Janette Fennell, founder and president of Kids and Car Safety, urged car manufacturers to act now:
“As we continue our advocacy, children are still dying — week after week. It’s beyond heartbreaking,” she told ABC News.
“Automakers don’t need to wait for a final regulation. They have the power — and the responsibility — to add this life-saving technology to their vehicles today.”
How to Prevent Hot Car Tragedies
Safety experts from Kids and Car Safety recommend the following actions:
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Create a reminder system
Place your phone, bag, or ID in the back seat beside your child’s car seat to prompt a check before exiting. -
Double-check your vehicle
Get in the habit of opening the back door and scanning the back seat every time you park. -
Keep your car locked
Always lock vehicles and keep keys out of reach to prevent kids from climbing inside parked cars. -
Act fast if you see a child alone in a car
Call 911 immediately. If the child shows signs of distress, take action to get them out quickly.
