Reported by: Tom McKee
Photographed by: 9News
Glen Este Middle School Assistant Principal Brenda Slaby has been put on indefinite paid administrative leave after her two-year old daughter was found inside her SUV with the windows rolled up Thursday.
The vehicle had been parked behind the middle school before the child was discovered.
Staff members attempts to revive the girl were unsuccessful.
Union Township Police Detective Sergeant Scott Blankenship says the investigation in the case should be wrapped up by Sunday and will be turned over to the Clermont County Prosecutor's Office Monday for review.
Blankenship said he can't comment if investigators have found an answer yet to the question of why the tragedy occurred.
West Clermont Superintendent Dr. Gary Brooks said he talked with an assistant prosecutor Friday and it's likely charges will be filed.
"I don't think there's any way around that," Brooks said. "It's just what charges it will be. It could be anywhere from a misdemeanor to a felony."
Slaby was at home with family Friday in Symmes Township.
A man who answered the door said the family is grieving and it would be inappropriate to comment at this time.
Meanwhile, the Glen Este Middle School staff met with a crisis team to share their feelings on what had occurred and discuss how they'll handle the incident with students on Monday when classes begin for the school year.
Dr. Brooks said the meeting was very emotional.
"There were people who were stunned. They were tearful. There were people who were angry," he said.
Some of that anger was over the way the story is being portrayed, according to Dr. Randy Siler, who is a member of the crisis team.
He said many people were upset that the incident is being characterized as more than an accident.
"We join the rest of the community in expressing extreme sorrow for the Slaby family in this tremendous time of crisis," Dr. Brooks said.
The Slaby death was the 23rd such child fatality in the United States this year, according to Jan Null with the Department of Geosciences at San Francisco State University.
She tracks cases involving children left inside a hot vehicle.
A 2002 study by Guard & Gallagher categorized the circumstances that lead to child hyperthermia fatalities.
- 39% - Child "forgotten" by caregiver
- 27% - Child playing in unattended vehicle
- 20% - Child intentionally left in vehicle by adult
- 14% - Circumstances unclear
Dr. Brooks said he was familiar with the portion that appears to indicate that most of the hyperthermia deaths are when people are stressed and have multiple things going on in their lives.
"Generally, it's a miscommunication between husband and wife or simply it slips out of your mind when you get caught up in the everyday," he said.
Back-to-school shoppers in the Eastgate area included many mothers with children in car seats.
"I think it's heartbreaking, but I can't understand why this keeps happening," said Darla Dawson of Anderson Township, the mother of two children.
"My kids are always my first priority and I know my husband feels the same way," said Dawson.
Joleen Whitaker of Batavia was even more direct.
"I never leave my kids. They always come in with me, even when I go pay for gas," said Whitaker. "I get them out and take them in."
Karen Aufranc, of Amelia, looked at the situation this way.
"It doesn't matter how busy you are. You're their sole provider," said Aufranc. "They look up to you. You need to keep an eye on them."
Aufranc was with Bonnie Hickey, also of Amelia, who said, "Never would I leave my child for a second with everything that's going on in the world."
For now, a close-knit community is grieving for one of their own.
"It is certainly a devastating blow to any family – to any community," Dr. Brooks said.
