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Gabrielle Rockson is a staff writer-reporter for PEOPLE. She joined PEOPLE in 2023 and covers entertainment and human interest stories. She’s interviewed David Beckham, Zendaya, Timothée Chalamet and many others. Her previous work can be found in OK! Magazine, MyLondon, GRM Daily, and more.
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NEED TO KNOW
- Vanessa Esquivel of Dallas was arrested on Aug. 20 in relation to the death of her 15-month-old child
- Police accused her of “intentionally” leaving the baby behind in the car as temperatures reached “at least 95 degrees”
- The Texas mom’s baby was left in the car for more than two hours
A Texas woman is accused of leaving her 15-month-old baby to die in a car while she went to work.
On Thursday, Aug. 28, the Frisco Police Department confirmed in a press release that they had arrested 27-year-old Vanessa Esquivel after she allegedly left her baby in a hot car.
The incident took place on Aug. 16, 2025, per the release.
“Police officers and detectives with the Frisco Police Department responded to Medical City Plano and upon investigation, they learned that earlier on August 16, the child’s mother, 27-year-old Vanessa Esquivel of Dallas, had arrived at her work in the 3200 block of Preston Road at approximately 2:00 p.m.,” the statement read.
Authorities said they believed Esquivel “intentionally” left her baby inside the car for over two hours, despite knowing that the vehicle’s air conditioning was not working.
The temperature outside was confirmed to be “at least 95 degrees.”
Authorities did not reveal the gender or name of the baby. The Frisco Police Department declined to provide additional comment when reached by PEOPLE.
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Evidence led to detectives finding “probable cause” that Esquivel committed murder “as her intentionally leaving the child in the car caused injury/endangered the child, which is a felony.”
“Because it resulted in the child’s death, her actions met the statutory requirements of Murder,” authorities said.
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Esquivel was arrested by Dallas Police on Aug. 20 after a search warrant was issued by detectives.
She was transferred to the Collin County Jail by officers from the Frisco Police Department.
Esquivel’s bond has been set at $250,000. If she’s found guilty of the first-degree felony, she faces five years to life in prison and a fine of up to $10,000.
People with information are advised to contact the Frisco Police Department’s non-emergency number (972-292-6010) or submit a tip using Tip411 (text FRISCOPD + the tip to 847411).
