MACCLENNEY, Fla. – April is officially Hot Car Death Prevention Month in Florida, thanks to Ariya’s Act, which took effect last July after it was signed into law by Gov. Ron DeSantis.
Ariya’s Act was named after 10-month-old Ariya Paige, who died nearly two years ago after her babysitter left her in a hot SUV for five hours.
Rhonda Jewell, 47, was Ariya’s babysitter. She was convicted of third-degree murder and child neglect, then sentenced to 17 years in prison. Jewell was recently allowed to bond out of prison while she appeals her conviction.
“This happened because Ariya was forgotten. We want to make sure she’s never forgotten, and we want her name associated with this not happening to other children,” said Ariya’s grandmother, Pamela Paige.
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Ariya’s Act calls for various state and local government agencies to sponsor events that educate the public on the dangers of leaving unattended children in hot vehicles. Already, Ariya’s family has events planned with various Northeast Florida law enforcement agencies
“This was significant for it to be in April because it’s right before the hot weather arrives,” Paige said.
News4JAX meteorologist Mark Collins said during the first week in April, Northeast Florida could experience record high temperatures in the 90s.
“And that’s going to be a real problem because this heat is coming in about three weeks before we typically see our first 90-degree day, so it’s important during these early heatwaves to remind yourself about what’s in your back seat,” Collins said.
In 2023, 25 children across the United States died from being left in hot cars. Ariya was number 16. Last year, the number of hot car deaths jumped to 40. From 1990 to last year, Florida has ranked number two in the nation behind Texas when it comes to hot car deaths. Georgia comes in at number five.
“Honestly, how do you forget a kid? It doesn’t make sense. It’s an argument I have every day with anybody. How do you forget a kid?” said Ariya’s mom, Brooke Paige.
It’s still unclear how Ariya’s babysitter forgot her, but Ariya’s family is hoping that enough awareness can help prevent another hot car death.