A Pennsylvania father is facing a murder charge after authorities say he forgot to take his 14-month-old daughter to daycare and left her in a hot vehicle, where she died, while he was allegedly “under the influence” of marijuana.
Daniel Jeffrey Moist, 38, was arrested Wednesday and charged with third-degree murder, child endangerment, reckless endangerment, and leaving a child unattended in a motor vehicle, according to the Northampton County District Attorney’s Office.
At a press conference, District Attorney Stephen G. Baratta said investigators believe the circumstances show Moist was impaired when he took responsibility for getting his daughter safely to daycare, People reported.
Investigators said Moist left his home with both of his children on June 11.
He dropped one child off at camp, authorities said, but did not bring his baby daughter to daycare as planned.
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The toddler then remained inside the vehicle for the rest of the workday.
Around 4 p.m., after his wife called to tell him their daughter had never arrived at daycare, Moist went back to the vehicle and found the child unresponsive.
He called 911 immediately and took her to the nearest hospital, officials said.
When officers arrived at the scene, they observed that Moist exhibited “glassy, bloodshot eyes.”
A subsequent search of the vehicle uncovered a THC vape, and lab results later confirmed the presence of active marijuana components in his system.
Moist has been arraigned, and his bail is set at $500,000.
While the circumstances are grave, District Attorney Baratta noted there is currently no evidence that Moist was aware his daughter had been left in the vehicle.
