Gabriela Elyzabeth Deras, a 22-year-old mother from Texas, has been charged with murder in the death of her infant son, Ethan Rosa Deras, who died inside a car in 100-degree heat last year. Ethan was found unresponsive at a mental health clinic in Houston, where he had been left in the vehicle for a period of time before being discovered. An autopsy later ruled his death a homicide, leading to Deras’ arrest and murder charge.
Deras’ mother, Leonela Deras, stated that her daughter suffered from schizophrenia, post-partum depression, and could be forgetful. She insisted that her daughter would never intentionally harm her son, as she loved him deeply.
During a probable cause court hearing, it was revealed that Deras has a mental illness or intellectual disability. She has been given a $50,000 bond and is prohibited from visiting any child unsupervised or taking non-prescription medication.
This case highlights the disparities in the prosecution of hot car deaths, where a parent in one city may face murder charges while a parent in another city may not even be arrested. Kids and Car Safety recommends precautions such as placing a visual cue in the front seat, never leaving a child unattended in a vehicle, and making it a routine to check the back seat every time you park to prevent tragedies like Ethan’s death.
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