In the hot summer months, it becomes more important than ever that those who are in charge of young children be extra vigilant about leaving their children unattended in hot, sealed cars.
A Georgia man has learned this lesson in the hardest way, losing his twin toddler daughters after leaving them in a car in 90-degree heat.
The father Asa North has been arrested and charged with two counts of involuntary manslaughter and two counts of reckless conduct for his actions which led to the death of his two daughters, Ariel and Alaynah North.
Police would not say if the choice to leave the children in the car was an accident or deliberate, but officers were called to the scene where they found the two girls placed in an inflatable kiddie pool full of water in an attempt to cool the girls off.
Paramedics rushed the children to the hospital where they were pronounced dead on site.
The horrific death of these two girls at the hands of their negligent father is heartbreaking, but it is also part of a growing and unfortunate trend. So far in 2016, 26 children have died in this way, compared to just 12 last year.
There is no accounting for the large increase, but it is clear that something must be done so that no more children die simply for sitting in a hot car.