Compiled by Wayne Blanchard; last edit 2-17-2024 for upload to: http://www.usdeadlyevents.com/
—>817 Blanchard tally from State and locality breakouts below.
— 657 CDC Wonder On-line database, Multiple Cause of Death, X30 and T67.
[Note: this is my total based on adding up the numbers shown for states with at least 10
deaths. The CDC Wonder page does not show a grand total.]
— 465 CDC Wonder, ICD-10 code X30, exposure to excessive natural heat, search, 7-8-2021.*
Notes US death rate of 0.14 per 100,000 population.
— 44 Child deaths in hot cars. Null. Noheatstroke.org.
— 18 OSHA noted heat stroke or other heat-related deaths (such as heat exhaustion or stress).
* We draw attention to the cases noted below by OSHA and Noheatstroke.org, of heat stroke and other excessive heat deaths not reflected in CDC Wonder data. Also of note is that State government reporting, when available, are frequently higher than CDC Wonder-reported numbers.
ICDC Codes used in CDC Wonder Online Database:
T67 Effects of heat and light
T67.0 (Heatstroke and sunstroke);
T67.1 (Heat syncope); heat syncope [fainting]; factors include dehydration and lack of acclimatization.
T67.2 (Heat cramp);
T67.3 (Heat exhaustion, anhydrotic); [Note: T67 codes are in the class of “multiple
T67.4 (Heat exhaustion due to salt depletion); cause of death,” meaning, usually, that heat
T67.5 (Heat exhaustion, unspecified); contributed to or combined with another
T67.6 (Heat fatigue, transient); cause of death – such as a heart condition.]
T67.7 (Heat oedema);
T67.8 (Other effects of heat and light);
T67.9 (Effect of heat and light, unspecified)
X30 Exposure to excessive natural heat. [An underlying (or primary) cause of death.]
State Breakout Summary
Alabama 13 CDC Wonder, Multiple Cause of Death, X30, T67.
Arizona 264 AZ Dept. of Health Services. Heat-caused and heat-associated deaths
Arkansas >3 Null. Noheatstroke.org. and KTSB 3.
California 93 CDC Wonder, Multiple Cause of Death, X30 and T67.
Florida 33 CDC Wonder, Multiple Cause of Death, X30 and T67.
Georgia 12 CDC Wonder, Multiple Cause of Death, X30 and T67.
Idaho >2 Null. Noheatstroke.org.
Illinois 14 CDC Wonder, Multiple Cause of Death, X30 and T67.
Kentucky >1 Null. Noheatstroke.org.
Louisiana >4 Null. Noheatstroke.org and OSHA.
Maryland 5 MD Dept. of Health. 2017 Heat-related Illness Surveillance Report. 2018, p5.
Missouri 17 CDC Wonder, Multiple Cause of Death, X30 and T67.
Nevada 235 KTNV, LV. “Heat Kills: More than 600 people die each year…” 6-15-2021
New Hampshire 2 Keene Sentinel. “Experts warn of heat exposure…Brattleboro deaths.” 6-14-2017.
New Mexico >3 Global News 6-22-2017 and Null. Noheatstroke.org.
New York* 16 CDC Wonder, Multiple Cause of Death, X30 and T67.
North Carolina 21 CDC Wonder, Multiple Cause of Death, X30 and T67.
Ohio 13 CDC Wonder, Multiple Cause of Death, X30 and T67.
Oklahoma >3 Null. Noheatstroke.org and OSHA.
South Carolina >1 Null. Noheatstroke.org and OSHA.
South Dakota 2 South Dakota Department of Health. Statistics. “Mortality.”
Tennessee 15 CDC Wonder, Multiple Cause of Death, X30 and T67.
Texas 40 CDC Wonder, Multiple Cause of Death, X30 and T67.
Utah >1 Null. Noheatstroke.org.
Virginia >1 OSHA.
West Virginia >2 Public Citizen. Extreme Heat…. 2018, p. 11; Null. Noheatstroke.org
Wyoming 1 Null. Noheatstroke.org
Total 817
*NY note: The 2023 NYC Heat-Related Mortality Report, New York City Environment & Health Data Portal, NYC Dept. of Health and Mental Hygiene’s Bureau of Environmental Surveillance and Policy, notes that “Each summer, on average, an estimated 350 New Yorkres die prematurely because of hot weather.” Notes that on average there were 7 heat-stress deaths, those caused directly by heat,” and “about 345 Heat-exacerbated deaths (caused indirectly by heat aggravating an underlying illness).” The CDC data we note does not include these “heat-exacerbated deaths.”
Breakout of 2017 Excessive Heat Deaths by State and Locality (where data is available):
Alabama 13
–13 CDC Wonder On-line database, Multiple Cause of Death, X30 and T67.
–10 CDC Wonder (ICD-10 code X30, exposure to excessive natural heat, search, 7-8-2021
— 1 Birmingham, Sep 25. Dra Kadyn Hudson, 3 years, in vehicle, 87⁰ day.[1] Null. Noheatstroke.
— 1 Carbon Hill, March 29. Giuliana Susan Grace Ramirez, 14 months, in vehicle, 84⁰ day.[2] Null.
— 1 Mobile, Aug 21. Kamden Johnson, 5, in vehicle, 93 degree day.[3] Null. Noheatstroke.org.
— 1 Vestavia, April 7. Christian Evan Sanders, 1, in vehicle 68⁰ day.[4] Null. Noheatstroke.org.
Arizona 264
–264 AZ Dept. of Health Services. Heat-caused and heat-associated deaths.[5]
–264 Center for Public Integrity. “Climate Change is Killing Americans…” 6-16-2020.
–223 CDC Wonder On-line database, Multiple Cause of Death, X30 and T67.
–179 Maricopa County heat-related causes. Arizona Republic. “In Phoenix…” 8-27-2020.[6]
–155 Maricopa County heat-related deaths. Maricopa County Health Department.[7]
–110 CDC Wonder, noting death rate of 1.57 per 100,000 population.
–59 Maricopa County, noting death rate of 1.37 per 100,000 population.
–28 Mohave County, noting death rate of 13.51 per 100,000 population.
— 1 Phoenix, June. Cardiovascular disease and excessive heat as contributing factor; man; 82.[8]
— 1 Phoenix, July 28. Zane Endress, 7 months, in vehicle, 101⁰ day.[9] Null. Noheatstroke.
— 1 Phoenix, July 29. Josiah Riggins, 1, in vehicle, 103 degrees day.[10] Null. Noheatstroke.
— 1 Yuma, July 17. Rosalie Giselle Estevez, 35 months, in vehicle, 104⁰ day. Null. Noheatstroke.
Arkansas >3
–1 West Memphis, June 12. Christopher Gardner, 5, in vehicle, 88⁰ day.[11] Null. Noheatstroke.org.
–1 NE AR. Elderly woman. KTBS 3. “Officials Report Two Heat Deaths in Arkansas.” 5-22-2017.
–1 Southwest AR. Elderly man. KTBS 3. “Officials Report Two Heat Deaths in Arkansas.” 5-22-2017.
California 93
–93 CDC Wonder On-line database, Multiple Cause of Death, X30 and T67.
–62 CDC Wonder, noting death rate of 0.16 per 100,000 population.
–14 Bay Area. Extreme heat. KQED. “Extreme Heat Killed 14 People in the Bay Area Last Year.” 10-17-2018.
–6 San Francisco area, Labor Day weekend; elderly residents, five at home.[12]
–3 San Francisco. “Probable heat-related deaths,” SF Medical Examiner’s Office
–1 San Mateo County, Daly City, Sep 2. Heat Stroke; Ernesto Demasa, 79, at home.
–1 San Mateo County, Millbrae, Sep 3. Loraine Christiansen, 95.
–1 San Mateo County, Pacifica, Sep 2. Heat stroke; Patrick Henry, 90, at home.[13]
–2 San Jose, June 19. Heat-related illness; man, 72, and woman, 87. LA Times.[14]
— 1 Olivehurst, May 24. Possible heat exhaustion death; landscaping employee weed eating. OSHA.
— 1 Ontario, July 6. Heat stroke while landscaping.; 92 degree temperature day.[15] OSHA
— 1 Rancho Cordova, June 28. Maiya Phakhin, 3, in vehicle, 90⁰ day.[16] Null. Noheatstroke.org.
Florida 33
–33 CDC Wonder On-line database, Multiple Cause of Death, X30 and T67.
–25 CDC Wonder (ICD-10 code X30, exposure to excessive natural heat, search, 7-8-2021
— 1 Brandon, Feb 28. Jacob Manchego, 2, in vehicle, 90⁰ day.[17] Null. Noheatstroke.org.
— 1 Delray Beach, July 15. Khayden Saint Sauver, 23 mo., in vehicle, 84⁰ day.[18] Null. Noheatstroke.
— 1 Fort Myers, June 29. Football player collapses running sprints; dies of heatstroke complications.[19]
–14 Hollywood Hills, Sep 13-28. Heat-related deaths following AC loss after hurricane Irma.[20]
–1 Female, 71.
–1 Female, 71.
–1 Female, 78.
–1 Female, 84.
–1 Female, 99.
–1 Male, 84.
–1 Male, 92.
–1 Male, 93, Sep 19.[21]
–1 Male, 96.
–1 Female 94, Sep 20.[22]
–1 Female, 94, Sep 21. (Broward Medical Examiner’s Office.)[23]
–1 Female, 57, Sep 28 (Broward County Medical Examiner’s office statement.)[24]
–1 Female, 90, death reported by Hollywood police on Oct 9.[25]
–1 Female, 95, death reported by Hollywood police on Oct 9.[26]
— 1 Jacksonville, Sep 28. Cardiac arrest from heat exhaustion; man working on roof. OSHA.[27]
— 1 Mary Esther, July 2. Timothy Christopher McCoy, 7 wks., in vehicle, 89⁰ day.[28] Null. Noheatstroke.
— 1 Orlando, Aug 7. Myles K. Hill, 3, in vehicle, 93 degree day.[29] Null. Noheatstroke.org.
— 1 Pensacola, Aug 18. Jai’ner Barnes (girl), 3, in vehicle, 95 degree day.[30] Null. Noheatstroke.
— 1 Pinecrest, Feb 2. Samuel Schnall, 1, in vehicle, 82⁰ day.[31] Null. Noheatstroke.org.
— 1 Sarasota, Aug 22. Heat stroke; mover employee collapse and death. OSHA.
Georgia 12
–12 CDC Wonder, Multiple Cause of Death, X30 and T67.
— 1 Lake Park, May 30. Heat stroke and death; worker picking eggplants. OSHA.
— 1 Milledgeville, Sep 5. Cyrus Gray, 6 months, in vehicle Aug 28, 85⁰ day. Null. Noheatstroke.
— 1 Reidsville, July 28. Jakob Eli Camacho, 3, in vehicle, 97 degree day.[32] Null. Noheatstroke.
— 1 South Fulton, Oct 31. Melvin Smith, 3, left in vehicle.[33] Null. Noheatstroke.
— 1 Tucker, June 15. Skylar Fowler, 1, in vehicle.[34] Null. Noheatstroke.
Idaho >2
–1 Caldwell, May 20. Kyrae Vineyard, 5 months, in vehicle.[35] Null. Noheatstroke.org.
–1 Twin Falls, June 23. Natalie Ross, 10 months, in vehicle, 85⁰ day.[36] Null. Noheatstroke.org.
Illinois 14
–14 CDC Wonder, Multiple Cause of Death, X30 and T67.
–14 CDC Wonder. X-30 search.
— 1 Nashville, June 13. Heat stress and death; concrete co., worker at construction site. OSHA.
Kentucky >1
–1 Auburn, June 10. Emma Grace Thigpen, 5 months, in vehicle, 89⁰ day.[37] Null. Noheatstroke.org.
Louisiana >4
–1 Lake Charles, July 18. Heat stress; employee installing AC duct work in house attic.[38] OSHA.
–1 Metairie, Aug 31, Claire Li, 11 months, in vehicle, 90 degree day.[39] Null. Noheatstroke.org
–1 Natalbany, Oct 11. Daverick Michael Coffey, 8 months, in vehicle.[40] Null. Noheatstroke.org
–1 Ville Platte, March 28. Addyson Bertrand, 3, in vehicle, 92⁰ day.[41] Null. Noheatstroke.org.
Maryland 5
–5 Heat-related deaths. MD Dept. of Health. 2018 Heat-related Illness Surveillance Report. 10-10-2018, p5.
–1 Allegany County
–2 Anne Arundel County
–1 Baltimore County
–1 Montgomery County
Missouri 17
–17 CDC Wonder, Multiple Cause of Death, X30 and T67.
–17 MO Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS). (Missourinet. 7-19-2019.)
–13 CDC Wonder. X30 search.
— 1 St. Louis, Sep 11. Tate Mitchell, 1, in vehicle, 81 degree day.[42] Null. Noheatstroke.org.
Nevada 235
–235 KTNV, Las Vegas. “Heat Kills: More than 600 people die each year…” 6-15-2021 update.[43]
–137 CDC Wonder, Multiple Cause of Death, X30 and T67.
— 81 KTNV, Las Vegas. “Report: Is Nevada really number one for heat-related deaths?” 11-21-2018.
— 65 NV State. CDC Wonder. Notes death rate of 2.17 per 100,000 population.
Clark County:
–135 KTNV, Las Vegas. Heat-related deaths according to the Clark County Coroner’s office.[44]
–123 Heat-related deaths. SNHD. “Health District reports increase in heat-related deaths.” 7-5-2018.
— 62 CDC, noting death rate of 2.81 per 100,000 population.
— 1 Las Vegas, July 15. Chase Lee, 3, in vehicle, 114⁰ day.[45] Null. Noheatstroke.org.
New Hampshire 2
–2 Brattleboro, June 12. Possible heat exposure deaths; Male, 87 and female, 87, outdoors.[46]
New Mexico >3
–2 Carlsbad Caverns National Park, ~June 19. Hikers, triple digit heat; father, 57, son, 21.[47]
–1 Portales, July 25. Maliya Jones, 22 months, in vehicle, 93 degrees day.[48] Null. Noheatstroke.org.
New York 16 CDC Wonder, Multiple Cause of Death, X30 and T67.
North Carolina 21
–21 CDC Wonder, Multiple Cause of Death, X30 and T67.
–14 CDC Wonder. X30
— 1 Mooresville, July 1. Lawren Louise Knowles, 3, in vehicle, 90⁰ day.[49] Null. Noheatstroke.org.
Ohio 13
–13 CDC Wonder, Multiple Cause of Death, X30 and T67.
— 1 Beverly, Aug 19. Heat stroke; sawmill employee collapse and death. OSHA
— 1 Kent, June 13. Exertional heat stroke; Kent State football workout; Tyler Heintz. Coroner.[50]
— 1 Mason, Aug 23. Sofia Aveiro, 15 months, in vehicle, 80 degree day.[51] Null. Noheatstroke.org.
— 1 Stone Creek, June 15. Possible heat stroke death; lawn care company worker. OSHA.
Oklahoma >3
–1 Luther, Aug 4. Presley Walker, 4 months, in vehicle, 86 degree day.[52] Null. Noheatstroke.org.
–1 Norman, July 7. Heat-related illness and death; bricklaying employee; 94⁰ day.[53] OSHA.
–1 Tulsa, May 26. Heat stroke and death; worker removing trash from storage shed. OSHA.
South Carolina >1
–1 Sumter, July 19. Mekhi Rembert, 1, in vehicle, 91 degree day.[54] Null. Noheatstroke.org.
South Dakota 2
–2 South Dakota Department of Health. Statistics. “Mortality.”[55]
Tennessee 15
–15 CDC Wonder, Multiple Cause of Death, X30 and T67.
–10 CDC Wonder, X30.
— 1 Chattanooga, July 8. Kiara McCullough, 11 months, in vehicle, 90⁰ day.[56] Null. Noheatstroke.org.
— 1 Gatlinburg, July 14. Kipp Phillips, 2, in vehicle, 91 degree day.[57] Null. Noheatstroke.org.
— 1 Nashville. At least one homeless person, amongst 118 who died in Nashville 2017.[58]
Texas 40
–40 CDC Wonder, Multiple Cause of Death, X30 and T67.
–36 CDC Wonder X30 search, noting a death rate of 0.13 per 100,000 population.
— 1 Big Bend National Park, June 17. Heat distress/dehydration; woman, 46, temps up to 115⁰.[59]
— 1 Burleson, April 14. Kingston Jackson, 23 months, in vehicle, 82⁰ day.[60] Null. Noheatstroke.org.
— 1 Catarina, June 10. Heat stress and death; employee working in confined space, hot day. OSHA.
— 1 Corpus Christi, July 1. Heat stroke and death; barricade storage yard worker; male.[61] OSHA.
— 1 Fort Davis area, Buffalo Trail Scout Ranch. Heat stroke; Boy Scout hiker Reid Comita, 15.[62]
— 1 Fort Worth, June 23. Keandre Goodman, 3, in vehicle, 101⁰ day.[63] Null. Noheatstroke.org.
— 1 Fort Worth, July 27. Possible heat stress; UPS warehouse worker loading trucks in heat.[64]
— 1 Houston, June 23. Justin Huynh, 7 months, in vehicle, 96⁰ day.[65] Null. Noheatstroke.org.
— 1 Kermit, July 8. Heat-related illness/death; employee cleaning casing pipes; 91⁰ day.[66] OSHA.
— 1 Kerrville, June 7. Addyson Overgard-Eddy, 2, in vehicle 89⁰ day.[67] Null. Noheatstroke.org.
— 1 Kerrville, June 7. Brinn Hawkins, 1, sister of Addson, in vehicle. Null. Noheatstroke.org.
— 1 Plano, Sep 21. Heat-related illness. Employee working on roof of school building. OSHA.[68]
— 1 Prosper, June 30. Heat stroke and death; mover, moving boxes int a home. OSHA.
— 1 San Antonio, Sep 21. Possible heat-related illness leading to death. Construc. worker. OSHA.[69]
— 2 Weatherford, May 26. Juliet, 1, and Cavanaugh Ramirez, 2, in vehicle, 96⁰ day.[70] Null.
Utah >1
–1 St. George, June 24. Abraham Royal, 2, in vehicle, 105⁰ day.[71] Null. Noheatstroke.org.
Virginia >1
–1 Arlington, June 17. Heat stroke; concrete co., employee at construction site. OSHA.
West Virginia >2
–1 Kanawha City, July 11. Postal worker “in a high temperature and humidity zone.”[72]
–1 Point Pleasant, April 5. Abel Stephens, 19 months, in vehicle, 84⁰ day.[73] Null. Noheatstroke.org
Wyoming 1
–1 Laramie, July 27. Wyatt Woodrow Dixon, 4 months, in vehicle, 84⁰ day.[74] Null. Noheatstroke.org
Narrative Information
(General)
CDC. “Heat-Related Deaths – [U.S.], 1999-2003,” MMWR, V55, N29, 7-28-2006, 796-798:
“Heat-related illnesses (e.g., heat cramps, heat exhaustion, heat syncope, or heatstroke) can occur when high ambient temperatures overcome the body’s natural ability to dissipate heat. Older adults, young children, and persons with chronic medical conditions are particularly susceptible to these illnesses and are at high risk for heat-related mortality. Previous analyses of the risk factors associated with heat-related deaths have been based on the underlying cause entered on the death certificate. The analysis revealed that including these deaths increased the number of heat-related deaths by 54% and suggested that the number of heat-related deaths is underestimated.
“CDC uses information from death certificates categorized by codes from the International Classification of Diseases to estimate national mortality trends. These data, collected and submitted by states, were used to determine the number of deaths in the United States during 1999–2003 that had exposure to excessive natural heat§ recorded as the underlying cause (code X30 from ICD, tenth revision [ICD-10]), hyperthermia recorded as a contributing factor (ICD-10 code T67) (6), or both….
“Editorial Note: In this analysis, the inclusion of hyperthermia as a contributing cause of death increased by 54% the total number of heat-related deaths during 1999–2003 that would have been counted through inclusion of a heat-related underlying cause alone. Because heat-related illnesses can exacerbate existing medical conditions and death from heat exposure can be preceded by various symptoms, heat-related deaths can be difficult to identify when illness onset or death is not witnessed by a clinician. In addition, the criteria used to determine heat-related causes of death vary among states. This can lead to underreporting heat-related deaths or to reporting heat as a factor contributing to death rather than the underlying cause.
“Continued exposure to excessive heat can lead to hyperthermia or death. Of the heat-related illnesses, heat exhaustion and heatstroke are the most serious. Heat exhaustion is characterized by muscle cramps, fatigue, headache, nausea or vomiting, and dizziness or fainting. The skin is often cool and moist, indicating that the body’s mechanism for cooling itself (i.e., sweating) is still functioning. The pulse rate is typically fast and weak, and breathing is rapid and shallow. If untreated, heat exhaustion can progress to heatstroke. Heatstroke is a serious, life-threatening condition characterized by a high body temperature (>103ºF [>39.4ºC]); red, hot, and dry skin (no sweating); rapid, strong pulse; throbbing headache; dizziness; nausea; confusion; and unconsciousness. Symptoms can progress to encephalopathy, liver and kidney failure, coagulopathy, and multiple organ system dysfunction. Prompt treatment of heat-related illnesses with aggressive fluid replacement and cooling of core body temperature is critical to reducing morbidity and mortality.
“Many heat-related deaths, regardless of whether they are associated with chronic medical conditions, are preventable. During periods of extreme heat, heat-related illnesses can be prevented by avoiding strenuous outdoor activities, drinking adequate amounts of fluid, avoiding alcohol consumption, wearing lightweight clothing, and using air-conditioning. Groups at high risk include young children, persons aged >65 years, persons who do strenuous activities outdoors, and persons with chronic (particularly cardiovascular) medical conditions.”
EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) on Heat-Related Deaths (11-21-2023):
“When people are exposed to extreme heat, they can suffer from potentially deadly illnesses, such as heat exhaustion and heat stroke. Hot temperatures can also contribute to deaths from heart attacks, strokes, and other forms of cardiovascular disease. Heat is the leading weather-related killer in the United States, even though most heat-related deaths are preventable through outreach and intervention (see EPA’s Excessive Heat Events Guidebook at: www.epa.gov/heat-islands/excessive-heat-events-guidebook).
Unusually hot summer temperatures have become more common across the contiguous 48 states in recent decades…extreme heat events (heat waves) have become more frequent and intense… and these trends are expected to continue. As a result, the risk of heat-related deaths and illness is also expected to increase.[75] The “urban heat island” effect accentuates the problem by causing even higher temperatures in densely developed urban areas. Reductions in cold-related deaths are projected to be smaller than increases in heat-related deaths in most regions. Death rates can also change, however, as people acclimate to higher temperatures and as communities strengthen their heat response plans and take other steps to continue to adapt.
“Certain population groups already face higher risks of heat-related death, and increases in summertime temperature variability will increase that risk. The population of adults aged 65 and older, which is expected to continue to grow, has a higher-than-average risk of heat-related death. Children are particularly vulnerable to heat-related illness and death, as their bodies are less able to adapt to heat than adults, and they must rely on others to help keep them safe. People with certain diseases, such as cardiovascular and respiratory illnesses, are especially vulnerable to excessive heat exposure, as are the economically disadvantaged. Data also suggest a higher risk among non-Hispanic Blacks.”
Trent, CA Dept. of Health Services on Heat-Related (HR) Illness: “HR illness is described according to three stages of increasing severity:
- Heat cramps. Mild and easy to treat, this level involves fevers generally under 102 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Heat exhaustion: Involves fevers over 102 degrees Fahrenheit, often with vomiting, diarrhea, and fatigue.
- Heat stroke: A severe and life-threatening failure of body’s ability to cool (e.g., sweating ceases), with fevers over 104 degrees Fahrenheit. Heat stroke can result in organ and neurologic damage and lead quickly to death.” (p. 3)
“Exertional heat stroke tends to occur among younger (under 50 years old), healthier persons who develop heat stroke after strenuous activity and inadequate hydration. The result is dehydration and electrolyte imbalance. Exposures may involve work or recreational activities outdoors.
“Classic heat stroke tends to occur among persons who are older (over 50 years old), frail, and with chronic diseases. They may take medications, have psychological or cognitive problems, and live alone. They are assumed to have a compromised thermoregulatory response due to their age, illnesses, and medications. They generally are not in an air conditioned space when discovered with heat stroke symptoms or deceased.” (p. 5)
(Trent, Roger B., Ph.D. (CA Dept. of Health Services). Review of July 2006 Heat Wave Related Fatalities in California. Sacramento, CA: Epidemiology and Prevention for Injury Control Branch, California Department of Health Services, May 2007.)
Associated Press (Anita Snow and Kendria Lafleur), Mishmash of how US heat deaths are counted complicates efforts to keep people safe as Earth warms.” 8-13-2023:
“….Even when it seems obvious that extreme heat was a factor, death certificates don’t always reflect the role it played. Experts say a mishmash of ways more than 3,000 counties calculate heat deaths means we don’t really know how many people die in the U.S. each year because of high temperatures in an ever warming world.
“That imprecision harms efforts to better protect people from extreme heat because officials who set policies and fund programs can’t get the financial and other support needed to make a difference….Currently, about the only consistency in counting heat deaths in the U.S. is that officials and climate specialists acknowledge fatalities are grossly undercounted…
“ ‘It’s frustrating that for 90 years public health officials in the United States have not had a good picture of heat-related mortality because we have such a bad data system,’ said Dr. David Jones, a Harvard Medical School professor who also teaches in the epidemiology department at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health.
“There is no uniformity among who does the counting across U.S. jurisdictions. Death investigations in some places might be carried out by a medical examiner, typically a physician trained in forensic pathology. In other locales, the coroner could be an elected sheriff, such as the one in Orange County, California. In some small counties in Texas, a justice of peace might determine cause of death. Utah and Massachusetts are among states that do not track heat-related deaths where exposure to extreme heat was a secondary factor.
“The CDC, which is often several years behind in reporting, draws information on heat deaths from death certificate information included in local, state, tribal and territorial databases. The CDC said in a statement that coroners and others who fill out death certificates ‘are encouraged to report all causes of death,’ but they may not always associate those contributing causes to an extreme heat exposure death and include the diagnostic codes for heat illnesses.
“Hess, the Arizona coroner [Pima County medical examiner], said determining environmental heat was a factor in someone’s death is difficult and can take weeks or even months of investigation including toxicological tests. ‘If someone was shot in the head, it’s pretty obvious what happened there,’ Hess said. ‘But when you find a body in a hot apartment 48 hours after they died, there is a lot of ambiguity.’ Hess noted that Pima County this year began including heat-related deaths in its tally of environmental heat fatalities….”
Narrative Information
Maricopa County, Arizona
“Heat Associated Deaths in Maricopa County
“Heat Caused (HC): Cases that mention heat or heat exposure in Part I of the death certificate
causes of death (diseases or conditions in the direct sequence causing death), for variables cod_a,
cod_b, cod_c, or cod_d. County of death: Maricopa.
Heat Related (HR): Cases that mention heat exposure in Part II of the death certificate causes of
death (diseases and conditions contributing but not directly resulting in the death sequence), but
not in any of the Part I variables (cod_a, cod_b, cod_c, or cod_d). County of death: Maricopa.
Under Investigation (UI): Cases the Maricopa County Office of Medical Examiner suspects are
heat associated deaths.
Data Sources: Maricopa County, Office of Vital Registration and Office of Medical Examiner;
Arizona Department of Health Services, Office of Vital Registration.”
Sources
Arizona Republic (Austin Grad), Phoenix. “Arizona saw more heat-related deaths in 2017 than any year prior.” 5-8-2018. Accessed 7-19-2021 at: https://www.azcentral.com/story/news/local/arizona-health/2018/05/01/arizona-saw-more-heat-related-deaths-2017-than-any-year-prior/570906002/
Arizona Republic (Debra Utacia Krol), Phoenix. “In Phoenix, rising temperatures day and night kill more people each year.”” 8-27-2020. Accessed 7-21-2021 at: https://www.azcentral.com/in-depth/news/2020/08/26/heat-killing-more-people-cities-sizzle-hotter-temperatures/4553439002/
Associated Press. “40 years in prison for mother whose toddlers died in hot vehicle.” 12-14-2018. Accessed 7-16-2021 at: https://www.fox6now.com/news/40-years-in-prison-for-mother-whose-toddlers-died-in-hot-vehicle
Associated Press. “College football: Kent State athlete’s death ruled exertional heat stroke.” Myrecordjournal.com. 9-19-2017. Accessed 7-21-2021 at: https://www.myrecordjournal.com/Archive/2017/09/US-KentState-RJ-092017.aspx
Associated Press (Anita Snow and Kendria Lafleur). “Mishmash of how US heat deaths are counted complicates efforts to keep people safe as Earth warms.” 8-13-2023. Accessed 2-14-2024 at: https://apnews.com/article/counting-extreme-heat-deaths-7125ad9a5289625bd9ca312945996399
Associated Press. “Name released of baby who died in hot car in Oklahoma.” Foxnews.com, 8-7-2017. Accessed 7-15-2021 at:
https://www.foxnews.com/us/name-released-of-baby-who-died-in-hot-car-in-oklahoma
Atlanta Journal-Constitution (Alexis Stevens). “Boy, 3, is the second Georgia child to die in a hot car this summer.” 9-6-2017. Accessed 7-15-2021 at: https://www.ajc.com/news/crime–law/georgia-mother-charged-with-felony-murder-after-boy-dies-hot-car/dn0UtVOXt5VlkAVKHfj8yN/
Atlanta Journal-Constitution (Christian Boone and Raisa Habersham). “Mother charged with intentionally leaving son in hot car to die.” 11-15-2017. Accessed 7-15-2021 at: https://www.ajc.com/news/crime–law/mother-charged-with-intentionally-leaving-son-hot-car-die/T1yd5K532Wopv8FOpylAaI/
Birmingham Real-Time News. “Boy left in hot vehicle for 8 hours at Miles College died from hyperthermia, coroner says.” 10-16-2017, 3-7-2019 update. Accessed 7-15-2021 at: https://www.al.com/news/birmingham/2017/10/boy_left_in_vehicle_for_8_hour.html
Bowling Green Daily News. “Man sentenced to 10 years in death of infant daughter left in hot van.” 3-14-2019. Accessed 7-16-2021 at: https://www.bgdailynews.com/news/man-sentenced-to-10-years-in-death-of-infant-daughter-left-in-hot-van/article_46f37058-5863-5fc2-9af8-e3682626efde.html
Birmingham Real-Time News. “Death of boy left in hot truck in Vestavia was ‘disastrous accident’ but not criminal, DA says.” 7-13-2017. Accessed 7-19-2021 at: https://www.al.com/news/birmingham/2017/07/boy_left_in_hot_truck_in_vesta.html
Birmingham Real-Time News. “Jefferson County mother charged with murder in baby girl’s death; toddler shaken, left in hot car.” 7-20, 2017, updated 1-13-2019. Accessed 7-19-2021 at: https://www.al.com/news/birmingham/2017/07/jefferson_county_mother_charge.html
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KCBD 11, Lubbock, TX. “Court affirms convictions of Portales daycare owners after 2017 hot car death.” 4-19-2021. Accessed 7-16-2021 at: https://www.kcbd.com/2021/04/19/court-affirms-convictions-portales-daycare-owners-after-hot-car-death/
Keene Sentinel (Ethan DeWitt). “Experts warn of heat exposure after two Brattleboro deaths.” 6-14-2017. Accessed 7-21-2021 at: https://www.sentinelsource.com/news/local/experts-warn-of-heat-exposure-after-two-brattleboro-deaths/article_465cf1ed-e5c3-5945-8bb7-de1696395628.html
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WREG News 3, Memphis. “Family sues West Memphis day car for $135 million after 5-year-old died in hot van.” 7-20-2017. Accessed 7-16-2021 at: https://www.wreg.com/news/family-sues-west-memphis-day-care-for-135-million-after-5-year-old-died-in-hot-van/
WTSP 10, Tampa Bay. “1-Year-old boy found inside hot car in Florida dies.” 7-17-2017. Accessed 7-16-2021 at: https://www.wtsp.com/article/news/1-year-old-boy-found-inside-hot-car-in-florida-dies/67-457299732
[1] Medical examiner ruled the death as “environmental hyperthermia.” The boy’s grandmother accidentally left the boy in her car while she was at work at Miles College for eight hours.” (Birmingham Real-Time News. “Boy left in hot vehicle for 8 hours at Miles College died from hyperthermia, coroner says.” 3-7-2019 update.)
[2] The mother, Memory Ryan Vieyra, 35, was later arrested “on charges of murder and aggravated child abuse.” “The criminal complaint…states that she engaged in conduct which manifested extreme indifference to human life and created a grave risk of death to the little girl. Vieyra did so by ‘violently shaking Giuliana and/or leaving (her) in a vehicle that reached extreme internal temperatures for an extended period of time.’ According to the charge of aggravated child abuse…Vieyra caused serious physical injury to Giuliana, who had superficial lacerations to the tissue inside of her lips, a contusion to the forehead and hemorrhaging of the scalp. She also had abrasions to her torso, right wrist and left arm.” (Birmingham Real-Time News. “Jefferson County mother charged with murder in baby girl’s death; toddler shaken, left in hot car.” 7-20, 2017, updated 1-13-2019.) The mother was convicted of murder on July 20, 2017 and sentenced to jail. (Polson & Polson, P.C. “New Alabama Law Protects Good Samaritans Rescuing Children from Hot Cars.” No date.)
[3] The child was “left in a van by a 46-year-old daycare worker, according to court records. Valarie [Rena] Patterson is facing a manslaughter charge and a charge of abusing a corpse in the death of Kamden Johnson. The corpse abuse chard came “records state, because she ‘discarded the body of Kamden Johnson on the side of Demetropolis Road.’” (Mobile Real-Time News. “Daycare worker left Kamden Johnson in van, records show; bonds set at $75,000 for suspect.” 1-13-2019.)
[4] Death was ruled by Jefferson County Coroner’s Office as hyperthermia. Boy was accidentally left in his father’s truck at work. His normal routine was to take the child to day-care on the way to work, but after running into unusual traffic, he forgot to drop the boy off. County prosecutor chose not to prosecute. (Birmingham Real-Time News. “Death of boy left in hot truck in Vestavia was ‘disastrous accident’ but not criminal, DA says.” 7-13-2017.)
[5] From table “Heat-Caused & Heat-Associated Deaths in Arizona by Year (2008-2018).” Notes that there were 132 heat-caused deaths and 132 heat-associated deaths. States “Heat-caused deaths are deaths where the primary cause of death is listed as exposure to excessive natural hear. Heat-associated deaths are deaths where exposure to excessive natural heat is listed anywhere on the death record.”
[6] “…a record 197 people in Maricopa County…died from heat-related causes in 2019. That surpassed the previous record of 182 deaths in 2018, which surpassed the record of 179 deaths in 2017.”
[7] Arizona Republic, Phoenix. “Arizona saw more heat-related deaths in 2017 than any year prior.” 5-8-2018.
[8] Victim was Gene Moore of the Quechan Tribe, found dead in home with broken air conditioner, with temperatures at or above 110 for eleven days. The temperature inside house when found “topped 105 degrees.” (Center for Public Integrity and Columbia Journalism Investigations. “Climate Change is Killing Americans.” 6-16-2020.)
[9] The boy lived with his grandparents, and been unattended in a car about four hours. (The Republic, Phoenix. “2 babies died in Phoenix after being left in hot cars.” 7-30-2017.)
[10] Left in car several hours by father. Police noted the father said he forgot the baby was in the car. (The Republic, Phoenix. “Police identify 1-year-old boy who died after being left in car.” 7-29-2017.)
[11] The boy had been left by employees of the Ascent Children’s Health Services in a day-care van for about eight hours. Four were charged with manslaughter. (WREG News 3, Memphis. “Family sues West Memphis day car for $135 million after 5-year-old died in hot van.” 7-20-2017.)
[12] Mercury News, San Jose, CA. “Six heat-related deaths reported in San Mateo County, San Francisco.” 9-8-2017.
[13] Cites San Mateo County Coroner’s Office.
[14] Los Angeles Times (V. Rocha). “California heat wave claims the lives of 2 Bay Area seniors.” 6-21-2017. These Santa Clara County victims identified as homeless man Dennis Young, 72, and Setsu Jordan, 87 who died outdoors. (Mercury News, San Jose, CA. “Six heat-related deaths reported in San Mateo County, San Francisco.” 9-8-2017.)
[15] Public Citizen. Extreme Heat and Unprotected Workers. 2018, p. 11.
[16] The mother, Angela Phakin, 29, was found guilty for the murder of her daughter as well as “premeditated and deliberate murder and felony murder torture,” according to a news report. Phakin and her boyfriend, Untwan Smith, 48, exposed Maiya to extreme summer temperatures on more than one occasion and “had been warned repeatedly to protect Maiya and was advised to take her to a cooling shelter. On the day of her death, she had been left in a car for nine hours. The girl’s mother told police that she and Smith were trying to remove lustful demons from Maiya. (ElkGroveNews.net. “Mother convicted of first degree murder, torture of 3-year old daughter.” 5-26-2019.)
[17] The boy was left in a SUV by his half-sister outside a shopping center where she worked in a day care center. The boy was in the locked car from 9 a.m. until ~5 hours later when she walked back to her car. (Tampa Bay Times, FL. “Boy dies after being left in SUV for more than five hours outside Brandon day care.” 3-1-2017.)
[18] Reportedly, “the boy somehow gained access to the car while playing with other children at the home.” (WTSP 10, Tampa Bay. “1-Year-old boy found inside hot car in Florida dies.” 7-17-2017.)
[19] Center for Public Integrity and Columbia Journalism Investigations. “Climate Change is Killing Americans.” 6-16-2020. Victim identified as Zach Martin-Polsenberg, 16, high school junior.
[20] Miami Herald (Caitlin Ostroff). “Voicemails from nursing home where 11 died were deleted by governor’s office.” 9-24-2017, which notes that “some [of the fatalities] with body temperatures as high as 109.9 degrees.”; ABC News. “8 dead after Irma knocks out air conditioning at Florida nursing home,” 9-13-2017 (gives name of facility as “Rehabilitation Center at Hollywood Hills, cites medical examiner’s office for identifying the victims as Bobby Owens, 84; Manuel Mario Medieta, 96; Miguel Antonio Franco, 92; Estella Hendricks, 71; Gail Nova, 71; Carolyn Eatherly, 78; Betty Hibbard, 84; and Albertina Vega, 99”); Washington Post (Mark Berman and Katie Zezima). “6 dead at South Florida nursing home as state grapples with heat and outages after Irma.” 9-13-2017. Notes that “Police opened a criminal investigation…” Another source quotes the Emergency room director at nearby Memorial Regional Hospital, to effect that those who had been removed to the hospital were mostly being treated for Dehydration, respiratory distress and heat-related problems. Writes” “Hollywood police Chief Tom Sanchez said investigators who arrived at a nursing home found ‘very hot’ conditions inside.” (Brown County Democrat, Nashville, IN. “The Latest: 20th Irma victims in the US identified.” 9-13-2017.) Another report writes: “Investigators want to know why the patients died after the storm even though a fully functioning hospital sits just across the street from the nursing home, Grossman said” (reference to Miranda Grossman, Hollywood police spokeswoman). (AP. “Florida Nursing Home Death Toll Rises to Twelve After Irma Knocked Out A/C.” NBC News, 9-29-2017.)
[21] CBS/AP. “Ninth person dead in Florida nursing home…knocked out power.” 9-20-2017. Cite Police. Writes”: “Those who died ranged in age from 71-99 years old, and they all appeared to have died from heat-related injuries.”
[22] NBC News (Siemaszko). “Tenth Persons Dies From Nursing Home That Lost Air Conditioning After Hurricane Irma.” 9-21-2017. Identified victim as Martha Murray. NBC cites Hollywood Police Dept. as source.
[23] Miami Herald (Julie K. Brown). “11th death blamed on AC failure at Hollywood Hills nursing home.” 9-22-2017. Victim identified as Alice Thomas.
[24] AP. “Florida Nursing Home Death Toll Rises to Twelve After Irma Knocked Out A/C.” NBC News, 9-29-2017. Victim identified as Dolores Biamonte, whose death was one of 12 as part of a criminal investigation, re. police.
[25] Victim identified as Cecilia Franco. (Associated Press. “2 More Dead After Florida Nursing Home Lost AC During Hurricane Irma.” Time.com, 10-9-2017.)
[26] Victim identified as Francesca Andrade, who “died from ailments suffered when the Rehabilitation Center at Hollywood Hills lost power Sept. 10 during the hurricane’s passage.” (Associated Press. “2 More Dead After Florida Nursing Home Lost AC During Hurricane Irma.” Time.com, 10-9-2017.)
[27] “The employee’s body temperature at the time of death was recorded as 107 degrees Fahrenheit.”
[28] The baby “was found dead after being left in a family vehicle for nearly eight hours….The family member reportedly was not aware that the child’s mother had placed the baby in a rear-facing car seat after church.” (NWFdailynews.com. “OCSO identifies 7-week-old left in hot van.” 7-6-2017.)
[29] The toddler had been left in a day-care van for nearly 12 hours, according to Orlando police. (WFTV9. “Heartbroken loved ones mourn toddler who died in hot van at Orlando day care.” 8-8-2017.)
[30] A hospital autopsy found that the child died of hyperthermia. Deputies arrested two Arms Christian Academy employees, Louvenia Shantae Johnson, 28, and Cornel Antonio McGee, 27, for negligent manslaughter homicide. “According to a new police report, the two ‘knowingly and intentionally’ did not follow established procedures to make sure the daycare transport van was empty. The child arrived at the daycare just before 9 a.m. Friday and had not been accounted for until 1:10 p.m. ….” Johnson had previously received a traffic citation in 2014 for leaving two children unattended in her vehicle outside a store. (ABC3 WEAR-TV. “Report: Daycare staff left Jai’nier Barnes in a hot van for hours.” 8-23-2017.)
[31] The boy had been left inside a car after being “out and about with a family member all day.” Upon returning home the family member left the child in the car for “more than an hour.” (CBS 4, Miami. “Baby Pulled From Hot Car in Pinecrest Dies A Day Later.” 2-7-2021.)
[32] The mother was later arrested “and charged…with felony murder and cruelty to children in the second degree. The boy died in the family car parked in their driveway. (Atlanta Journal-Constitution. “Boy, 3, is the second Georgia child to die in a hot car this summer.” 9-6-2017.)
[33] The mother, Lillian Stone, was later charged by police, after reviewing surveillance footage, with malice murder for allegedly intentionally leaving her child for seven hours strapped in a car seat in her car. (Atlanta Journal-Constitution. “Mother charged with intentionally leaving son in hot car to die.” 11-15-2017.)
[34] A grand jury indicted the mother, Dijanelle Fowler, 25, on charges of second-degree murder, child cruelty and concealing a death. Allegedly the mother left her child in her car while she “was getting her hair braided for more than five hours.” “Testing showed the temperature in the car rose to 129 degrees, the heat index more than 150.” “ ‘No rush,’ she told the hairdresser, according to Racine. ‘Take your time.’….She told several false versions of what happened and finally broke down, telling the child’s father she left Skylar in the car during the hair appointment on purpose. The father…told police about the confession….” (Atlanta Journal-Constitution. “Mother charged with intentionally leaving son in hot car to die.” 11-15-2017.)
[35] The baby was in the care of the mother’s boyfriend while she was at work. He drove to a car dealership with her strapped in the backseat and test drove two vehicles, buying one of them. On the way home in his new car he remembered the baby was still in his old car. She had been there about four hours. The temperature in the car reached “as high as 120 degrees.” He later pled guilty to felony involuntary manslaughter in her overheating (hyperthermia) death. (KTVB, Boise. “Man pleads guilty in 5-month-old’s hot car death in Caldwell.” 11-28-2017.)
[36] A forensic pathologist with the Ada County Coroner’s Office, concluded the infant’s death was the result of hyperthermia. The 29-year-old father was charged with involuntary manslaughter, for knowingly leaving his daughter sleeping unattended in her car seat in the family’s van. (MagicValley.com. “Update: Father of baby who died in hot van charged with involuntary manslaughter.” 10-4-2017.)
[37] The father left three children alone in a van parked outside his residence. The infant died from hyperthermia and the other two were hospitalized for heat-related problems. The father was sentenced to 10 years in prison after pleading guilty to a count of second-degree manslaughter and two counts of first-degree assault. (Bowling Green Daily News. “Man sentenced to 10 years in death of infant daughter left in hot van.” 3-14-2019.)
[38] Outdoor temperatures reached 90 degrees that day in the county. (Public Citizen. Extreme Heat and Unprotected Workers. 2018, p. 11.)
[39] The baby girl died of hyperthermia according to the Jefferson County Coroner. The father was arrested on a charge of “negligent homicide.” He had put his daughter into his car that morning “intending to drop her off at daycare — but he apparently forgot her and went straight to work instead…” He only discovered his mistake when he returned home after the end of the work-day. (New Orleans Advocate. “Father of infant who died after being left in car for hours is arrested on negligent homicide count.” 9-1-2017.)
[40] An unidentified “caregiver-guardian” stated she thought she had dropped the baby off at a day-care before sometime before 8 am, and discovered she discovered her mistake when she went back to the day-care after 4:30 pm. (WDSU News 6. “9-month-old baby left in vehicle for hours in Hammond dies, TPSO says.” 10-12-2017.)
[41] The girl was found about 2:00 pm in a vehicle outside the Heritage Manor Nursing Home, where the girl’s mother worked. (EvangelineToday.com. “VPPD, State Police Investigating Death of Girl who was left in car.” 3-28-2017.)
[42] The boy’s mother apparently forgot to take by boy to his day-care, and when she arrived late that afternoon, she discovered he was not in the school, and found him still in the family van. (St. Louis Post-Dispatch. “South County boy discovered dead in family’s van after mother went to pick him up from day care.” 9-13-2017.)
[43] Cites National Weather Service.
[44] KTNV, Las Vegas. “Report: Is Nevada really number one for heat-related deaths?” 11-21-2018 update.
[45] “Chase Lee, 1 3-year-old boy from Fillmore, Utah, died after police say he was forgotten in a family car for more than an hour Saturday. It happened at the Grandview Resort, and police say the temperature inside the car reached 170 degrees.” (NBC3lv.com. “Child’s death in hot car tragedy first for Las Vegas in nearly two years.” 7-17-2017.)
[46] Keene Sentinel (Ethan DeWitt). “Experts warn of heat exposure after two Brattleboro deaths.” 6-14-2017.
[47] Global News. “4 people died from record-breaking heat in California and New Mexico.” 6-22-2017. Victims identified as Robert Stuart Pita, and son Bobby. (The Weather Channel. “Heat Wave Across Southwest Turs Deadly.” 6-23-2017.)
[48] “The New Mexico Court of Appeals affirmed the convictions of two former Portales daycare workers in the death of 22-month-old Maliyah Jones after being left in a hot car in 2017. Sandi Taylor, 31, and Mary Taylor, 62, were convicted in February 2019 of one count of child abuse resulting in death and one count of child abuse resulting in great bodily harm, following a lengthy trial. On Jul 25, 2017, Portales police responded to a call for…infant children who were left in a hot car at an in-home daycare. Reports state the Taylors, owners of Taylor Tots, had driven 12 children in their care to a local park in two SUVs. When they returned, ten of the children were taken inside but… Sandi and May Taylor ‘failed to remove Victims from the SUV, and both remained buckled in their car seats.’ One child, 22-month-old Maliyah Jones, was pronounced dead at the scene. The other, two-year-old Aubrianna Loya, was taken to a Lubbock hospital with critical injuries. Authorities reported they believe the children were inside the vehicle for two hours and forty minutes, on a day when temperatures outside reached 91 degrees. According to court documents, paramedics on scene confirmed Maliyah died of a heat stroke….In March of 2019, following conviction, Mary Taylor was sentenced to the maximum of 36 years in prison, and Sandi Taylor was sentenced to 30 years. Both women could potentially serve 50 percent of their sentence, depending on good behavior.” (KCBD 11, Lubbock, TX. “Court affirms convictions of Portales daycare owners after 2017 hot car death.” 4-19-2021.)
[49] Autopsy results returned hyperthermia finding. Had been left in her family’s minivan, strapped in a car seat for hours while the van was in direct sunlight. The toddler’s body temperature read 107 at a hospital. (WCNC, Charlotte. “Autopsy shows three-year-old girl suffered hot car death.” 3-9-2018.)
[50] AP. “College football: Kent State athlete’s death ruled exertional heat stroke.” Myrecordjournal.com. 9-19-2017.
[51] Mother running late to work, neglected to drop her daughter off at day-care, a mistake that was not discovered until the girl’s father arrived at the day-care to pick her up. He then called his wife, who found the child still in a car seat in the car. (WHIO TV 7. “New Details: Mason mother was running late in child’s hot car death.” 8-25-2017.)
[52] The grandmother, who had custody of the girl, “intended to drop her off at a daycare on her way to work in Oklahoma City, where the outside temperature reached 88 degrees. When the grandmother arrived at the daycare to pick up the child, she realized she left her in the car all day.” (Associated Press. “Name released of baby who died in hot car in Oklahoma.” Foxnews.com, 8-7-2017.)
[53] Public Citizen. Extreme Heat and Unprotected Workers. 2018, p. 11
[54] The mother, Latisha Rembert, 24, was arrested and charged with homicide by child abuse. (News 19. “Bond Denied for Midlands Mom charged with Death of Baby Boy.” 7-22-2017.)
[55] Table 46: “South Dakota Resident Leading Causes of Death Due to Accidents, 2014-2018.”
[56] The father of the baby girl, Travis McCullough, was charged with criminal homicide. He left his three children inside a hot car for six hours outside the Buffalo Shack while he worked. The other two children survived. (WRCB TV3. “Update: Father faces judge in hot car death of 10-month-old child.” 11-14-2017 update.)
[57] “On July 14 around 2 p.m., 2-year-old Kipp Phillips was found dead in a car in front of a house in the 400 block of Laurel Avenue. Investigators said he’d been there since the night before.” The parents were charged in connection with the death. (WBIR 10 News. “Investigators haunted by death of child left in hot car.” 7-25-2017.)
[58] “According to spokesperson for the non-profit Open Table Nashville, 118 people who were homeless have died in the city so far this year, the most on record…. A significant number of the 118 died because of exposure-related ailments such as heat stroke, hypothermia and that those deaths, in particular, are preventable with access to shelter.” (Patch.com, Nashville, TN. “Nashville Hits All-Time High For Homeless Deaths in 2017.” 12-18-2017.)
[59] MySanAntonia.com. “Texas heat-related deaths in the news in 2017.” 6-23-2017.
[60] The boy was left for up to five hours in family vehicle, with both parents thinking the other had taken the boy out. (Fox News. “Texas toddler dies after being left inside hot car.” 4-16-2017.)
[61] Outdoors temperature that day reached 92⁰. (Public Citizen. Extreme Heat and Unprotected Workers. 2018, p. 11.)
[62] MySanAntonio.com (Kelsey Bradshaw). “Father of Texas Boy Scout recounts son’s death on camp hiking trip: ‘This isn’t supposed to happen’.” 6-20-2017. “…temperatures in the area the afternoon of the 12th reached the upper 90s, with a heat index hitting triple-digits. The closest help was ranch officials, about a 90 minute ride on horseback; helicopters were grounded due to an electric storm in the area…”
[63] The boy climbed into car and was there about 45 minutes on triple-digit day. Six siblings were later removed from the parents by Child Protective Services, which “had been involved with Keandre’s family before his death.” (Dallas Morning News. “Six siblings removed from Fort Worth home after 3-year-old dies in hot car.” 6-26-2017.)
[64] USA Today. “Hostage to Heat – Worked to Death.” Victim identified as Elliot Brown. He reportedly had asked his supervisor if he could go home because he was starting to feel sick, but “the answer was no.” He collapsed on the job and taken to a hospital, where he died.
[65] Father forgot to drop the baby off at day-care. Mistake not realized until about ten hours later when mother called about the boy. (KHOU11, Houston. “HPD: 7-month-old found dead in father’s car in NW Houston.” 6-24-2017.)
[66] Public Citizen. Extreme Heat and Unprotected Workers. 2018, p. 11
[67] He mother, Amanda Hawkins, 20, was sentenced to 40 years in prison on charges of child abandonment, child endangerment, and injury to a child, for leaving her daughters unattended in her vehicle overnight while she visited friends and smoked marijuana. “Witnessed reported hearing the toddlers crying inside the car” but did not inform anyone. “Hawkins retrieved the girls from the car the following afternoon when the temperature inside the car was estimated to have been 119 degrees. She bathed the children and searched on the internet how to treat heat stroke before taking the toddlers to the hospital” where they were pronounced dead. (Associated Press. “40 years in prison for mother whose toddlers died in hot vehicle.” 12-14-2018.)
[68] Collapsed after two days working in direct sunlight on the roof. Died in hospital emergency room where “the employee’s body temperature was recorded at 109 degrees Fahrenheit.”
[69] Employee had been picking up and carrying 3 25-lb bags pf cement at a time a distance of about 60-feet. Found “face down and unconscious by the electrical contractors who were leaving for lunch…Emergency responders were called for possible heat exposure and the heat….The cause of death was possibly due to heat-related illness.”
[70] A Medical Examiner testified at the trial of the mother, Cynthia Marie Randolph, 25, the two died of heatstroke. She was found guilty of two second-degree felony counts of recklessly causing injury and sentenced to 20 years. According to police video of interviews with the mother, she at first lied and stated the two had gotten into the vehicle on their own, but later said “she asked the children to get out of the car, but when they refused, she shut the car door to ‘teach them a lesson.’ She said she went back inside, smoked marijuana and slept for two to three hours. When she awoke, she found her children dead, and broke the window to make the deaths appear accidental.” (CBS News/AP. “Mom who left kids in hot car to ‘teach them a lesson’ gets max sentence in their deaths.” 5-1-2018.)
[71] The boy had been left in a vehicle for at least six hours during a family reunion. (CNN. “Investigation ongoing into 2-year-old Preston boy’s death in hot car.” 6-30-2017.)
[72] Public Citizen. Extreme Heat and Unprotected Workers. 2018, p. 11. Notes the temperatures that day were in the 80s, and that with an enlarged heart as well as artery blockages, and being “unacclimatized” to high heat conditions, the worker was at risk for heat-related injury. Postalnews.com notes that “Charleston Fire says that a postal worker was transported to an area hospital after receiving a call that someone passed out from heat exhaustion.”
[73] On May 10 the child’s great grandmother was arrested and charged with child neglect-abuse resulting in death. She had driven the child’s mother to work, with the baby and a 4-year-old in the car. When the great grandmother returned to her home she parked in an open field with “no shade whatsoever” and the windows up. She and the 4-year-old got out, leaving the baby inside from roughly 7:30 am to 2:30 pm when she got back in the car and went to pick the mother up. Only when the mother got into the car was it discovered that the boy was dead. An autopsy by the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner in Charleston determined that there was ‘No other explanation’ for the child’s death other than heat exposure. It was estimated that the interior of the car reached temperatures of 120-140 degrees. (Point Pleasant Register, WV. “Woman charged in toddler’s death.” 5-10-2017.)
[74] “The mother of the child that died last week in Laramie after being left in a vehicle for 10 hours is facing child endangerment charges in Albany County Circuit Court. The Albany County Sheriff’s Office said Kristie Dixon, 38, of Laramie, had driven into Laramie for work on July 27. Dixon typically dropped the four-month-old baby off at a Laramie daycare center before work, but on that day Dixon forgot to drop the baby off and instead went straight to work. The child was left inside the vehicle from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. while Dixon was working. Dixon found the baby inside the car when she was leaving for the day….An autopsy conducted on the child at McKee Medical Center in Loveland, Colorado determined the cause of death to be extreme dehydration and heat stroke.” (LaramieLive.com. “Charges Filed in Laramie Child Death.” 8-7-2017.)
[75] Cites IPCC (Intergovernmental Panel of Climate Change). 2014.
