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By Jenna Sundel
News Reporter
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A Florida woman was found not guilty of manslaughter on Wednesday in the death of her grandchild, who was left inside a hot car for several hours.
Tracey Nix, 67, was acquitted of aggravated manslaughter in the 2022 death of 7-month-old Uriel Schock. The jury found her guilty, however, of leaving a child in a vehicle in excess of 15 minutes causing great bodily harm.
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Why It Matters
An average of 38 children die each year in hot cars, according to data collected by Kids and Car Safety Database. From 1990 to 2023, at least 31 percent of child hot car deaths resulted in convictions, while at least 52 percent did not.
What To Know
Nix told a detective she "just forgot" the baby in the backseat of her car after driving home from lunch with friends. Nix's daughter asked her to babysit the child while she went to a hair appointment.
Temperatures in the area reached 90 degrees Fahrenheit that day. A medical examiner ruled that Schock's cause of death was hyperthermia.
The trial began on Tuesday. The prosecution called several witnesses to testify, including Nix's daughters, Nix's friends, paramedics, law enforcement officials and a medical examiner.
Kaila Nix, Schock's mother, became emotional during her testimony as she recounted having to identify her daughter's body.
"It was sheer anxiety," Kaila said.
Gayle Knight, Tracey's friend, described Tracey as "caring and loving."
"She had placed Uri in the seat and, of course, the baby kept sliding out and that's when she picked her up and was holding her," Knight said.
The defense only called one witness, Tracey's husband and Schock's grandfather, Nun Nix. He performed CPR on Schock but was unsuccessful in saving her life.
Tracey did not testify on her behalf.
Body camera footage was shown in court on Tuesday.
"I don't want to face anybody. I can't face my daughter. I cannot do that," Nix said to investigators in the video.
The jury deliberated for a little over two and a half hours before reaching the verdict.
What People Are Saying
Prosecutor Timothy Coleman, in his opening statement: "7-month-old Uriel Schock died alone and forgotten, trapped in a hot car."
Defense attorney William Fletcher, in his opening statement: "As horrible as this tragedy is, it's not culpable negligence."
What Happens Next
Tracey's sentencing is scheduled for April 3.
She is facing up to eight years in prison. She was remanded into custody as she awaits sentencing.
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