A North Carolina mother faces charges of involuntary manslaughter after her 8-year-old daughter died from hyperthermia, left in a hot car while the mother worked at an Amazon facility.

Ashlee Stallings, 36, left her daughter with the car's air conditioning running but found her unresponsive and suffering from hyperthermia after returning from work at an Amazon facility. Despite breaking the car window and attempting to seek medical help, the girl later died. Stallings has been charged with involuntary manslaughter and child abuse. As child hot car deaths rise, experts warn about the dangers of leaving children in vehicles even for short periods.

The child was discovered in critical condition in Charlotte on Wednesday evening. She was pronounced dead early Thursday morning, despite the efforts to save her.

Stallings had believed that her daughter turned off the air conditioning because she was cold. When Stallings returned to her car about an hour and a half after last hearing from her daughter via text message, she found the girl unresponsive, lying on the backseat floorboard. The child was taking shallow breaths and foaming at the mouth.

In a desperate attempt to save her daughter's life, Stallings used a hammer to break open the back window of the car. She then attempted to drive to a hospital but stopped at a nearby business to seek immediate help.

Medical staff at the hospital later confirmed that the girl suffered brain herniation caused by hyperthermia, a condition where the body overheats.

Stallings admitted to police that she was aware of the 94-degree temperature outside and acknowledged that she should not have left her daughter in the car alone. As a result, she has been charged with involuntary manslaughter and child abuse by willful act causing serious injury.

Stallings has been appointed a public defender and is currently being held at the Mecklenburg County Detention Center with a bond set at $250,000. Her next court appearance is scheduled for July 16, according to ABC News, though CBS News reports it as July 17.

Amazon, the company where Stallings was employed, has confirmed her employment and stated they are cooperating fully with the police investigation.

This tragic incident is not isolated. According to Kids and Car Safety, this is at least the fifth hot car death reported this year. As temperatures rise, the risk of such incidents also increases. Data from the National Weather Service shows that a car can reach deadly temperatures of up to 124 degrees in just 30 minutes when the outside temperature is 90 degrees.

Statistics from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reveal that every 10 days, a child dies from heatstroke as a result of being left in a vehicle. In most cases, the tragedy happens because someone forgets a child is in the car.

An analysis by CBS News highlights that 83% of hot car deaths in the last six years have occurred between May and September, emphasizing the heightened risk during these warmer months. This case underscores the critical importance of vigilance and caution when it comes to children and vehicle safety.