BAKER COUNTY, Fla. – It was an emotional day in court for the family of the 10-month-old who was left in a hot car and died in the summer of 2023.
Wednesday was the start of the trial for 46-year-old Rhonda Jewell, who was accused of leaving Ariya unattended in an SUV for five hours in Macclenny.
Brook Paige, Ariya’s mother, described the moment after doctors at the Ed Frasier Memorial Hospital told her that her daughter died.
“I didn‘t know how to feel,” Paige said. “I didn’t know what to feel.”
Ariya’s family told News4JAX earlier this year that they hoped Jewell would take a plea deal to prevent them from reliving the horrific events of one of the hottest days in July 2023.
Paige also recounted what happened when she arrived to pick up Ariya, stating that Jewell ran to the SUV so she followed her.
When Paige got to the car, she said she saw her daughter not breathing as she sat in her car seat still strapped in.
“You said she was not breathing, how did you know that?“ the judge asked Paige. ”Her lips were blue," she replied.
The temperature reached more than 110 degrees that day. Paige was visibly emotional when she had to testify about finding her child unresponsive.
It was difficult for Paige to confirm evidence photos of her daughter.
Ariya’s grandmother, Pamela Paige, also took to the stand.
“I saw the rescue workers taking Aryia out of the ambulance and they were still doing CPR, and I could see Ariya. She just looked lifeless. One of the paramedics was crying so I knew it was a bad sign.”
The court also heard testimonies from other family members, a patrol deputy and a paramedic.
The trial will continue Thursday morning. It’s unclear if Jewell will testify in her defense.
Ariya‘s family pushed for the Ariya’s Act bill to recognize April as “Hot Car Prevention” month in Florida. It was unanimously passed and requires certain agencies and local governments to sponsor events that educate the community on the dangers of leaving children in hot cars.