PEORIA, Ill. – The Peoria County Coroner says the death of a one-month-old boy is a “daunting situation.”
Jamie Harwood announced Tuesday that Grayson Luncsford died of severe dehydration and hyperthermia, after being left in a hot vehicle for an unknown amount of time. Harwood says it is believed Grayson was dead for at least four hours prior to police arrival, and had gone without food and water for “quite some time” prior.
Grayson’s mother, Andrea, was arrested in connection to the death on a charge of Endangering the Health and Life of a Child.
Speaking to the press on Tuesday, Harwood says a relative spotted Grayson in the area of Peoria and McClure by a relative, and removed him from the car. He says the relative brought him to the location where he was declared dead, in the area of Peoria and Archer, just after 7:30 P.M.
Harwood says Grayson’s death was one of the worst he has ever seen.
“I’ve been in this job eight years, and very few things make me angry and upset the way this has hit my heart,” Harwood said.
Harwood says a full autopsy will be completed in 4-6 weeks. He says more investigation will need to be done by Peoria Police to determine if Grayson’s death will be ruled a homicide. Harwood says that could include how long Grayson was left alone in the vehicle, and the whereabouts of the mother while he was inside it.
With temperatures expected to remain above normal for the next week, Harwood is reminding people to take extra care and precautions.
“We have to remember, not even just an infant, even an adult, would suffer hyperthermia and dehydration. It’s going to happen a lot faster for an infant, unfortunately, because of body surface area and the makeup of their bodies, and how fragile they are in their infancy anyway,” Harwood said.
Harwood says to take the infant out of the vehicle every time one is not in it, even for just a couple minutes. He says that’s due to how fast heat can build up inside.
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