Georgia Mother Charged in 1-Year-Old Son’s Hot-Car Death Granted $5,000 Bond

LAWRENCEVILLE, Ga. — A Gwinnett County judge granted a $5,000 bond Wednesday morning to a Georgia mother charged after her 1-year-old son died inside a hot vehicle while she worked at a hospital.

Deja Coleman, 29, faces charges of second-degree murder and second-degree cruelty to children in connection with the July 29 death of her son, Daniel.

Judge Tamela Adkins ordered Coleman to remain on house arrest and wear an ankle monitor if released. She may leave home only for legal and medical appointments, cannot discuss the case with potential witnesses and is prohibited from driving her children.

Lawrenceville police responded to Northside Hospital Gwinnett shortly before 4 p.m. July 29 after a passerby reported seeing an unresponsive child inside a locked vehicle.

Officers broke a window to reach the child, but Daniel was pronounced dead at the scene.

Investigators said Coleman dropped off her two older children at daycare before reporting for work but forgot Daniel was still in the back seat. He remained inside the vehicle for several hours.

Coleman’s defense has characterized the death as a tragic accident. Court filings described her as a domestic violence survivor living in transitional housing while raising three children and working as a certified nursing assistant.

Her attorneys said she was severely sleep-deprived when the incident occurred and argued that the circumstances should not result in murder charges.

Coleman had remained jailed without bond since her arrest, except for a brief court-approved release connected to her son’s funeral.

The charges against Coleman remain pending following Wednesday’s bond decision.

Yolonda Harris
News Now Georgia