“With this month dedicated to awareness, I am thanking Jesus that it serves not only in memory of Ariya but also to protect other children,” expressed Brooke Paige, Ariya’s mother.
BAKER COUNTY, Fla. — April heralds the inauguration of Hot Car Death Prevention Month in Florida, established by Ariya’s Act. This legislation pays tribute to 10-month-old Ariya Paige from Baker County, who tragically passed away in 2023 after being left in a heated vehicle by her babysitter.
Enacted in 2024, the law assigns April as a month of vigilance to avert such heartbreaking incidents. Advocates emphasize the crucial message: leaving a child alone in a car, even momentarily, can be fatal.
“Hardly a day passes without me thinking of her,” Brooke Paige shared. “As Easter approaches, she would have been turning three. It’s painful to imagine her missing from the egg hunt with my 19-month-old.”
Paige recounted that her daughter was abandoned in a car for five hours by her caretaker, Rhonda Jewell, who faced a third-degree murder conviction in 2023. Jewell received a 17-year prison sentence but was released on bond pending appeal. The case is set for a hearing on April 21 in Tallahassee, giving each party 15 minutes to present their arguments.
“I understand everyone has their own life,” Paige remarked. “But the life you’ve created rides in the back seat. That’s something you can’t afford to overlook.”
Police say just this week, a 1‑year‑old girl in Winter Haven died after being left in a car while in her grandmother’s care. Paige says it’s just another reminder of how quickly these tragedies can happen.
Paige is grateful that Florida now recognizes April as a month to raise awareness about hot car deaths.
“I’m praising Jesus that this month isn’t only for Ariya, it’s for every child,” she said.
Experts say even on mild days, the heat inside a parked vehicle can rise rapidly. At 90 degrees outside, the interior temperature can climb up to 20 degrees higher in just 20 minutes, creating conditions that can be fatal for a young child.
“Kids can’t speak for themselves,” Paige said. “They can’t tap on the glass and say, ‘I’m back here.’ We have to be their voice.”
According to Kids and Car Safety, families can take quick, simple steps to prevent hot car deaths:
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Place a diaper bag, purse, or other essential item in the front seat as a visual reminder your child is in the back.
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Make it a habit to open the back door every time you park.
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Put something you can’t start your day without — like a phone, wallet, or badge — in the back seat next to your child.
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Ask your childcare provider to call if your child doesn’t arrive as expected.
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Always confirm who is responsible for taking a child out of the car.
“It’s just little things like that,” Paige said. “They can save so many children’s lives.”
