In a heartbreaking incident in Omaha, Nebraska, a five-year-old boy tragically died after being left unattended in a hot car for seven hours by his foster mother, Juanita Pinon. Dionicio Perez was discovered unresponsive in the sweltering SUV parked outside a beauty salon where Pinon worked.
The devastating ordeal began when Pinon parked her vehicle around 10:30 am, leaving young Dionicio inside. It wasn’t until approximately 5 pm that the boy was found, with his body temperature reportedly reaching a dangerous 105°F. Despite urgent efforts to save him, Dionicio was pronounced dead upon arrival at the hospital.
Following the incident, Omaha police swiftly arrested 40-year-old Juanita Pinon, who now faces charges of child abuse by neglect resulting in death. Her bond has been set at $2 million, and her next court appearance is scheduled for August 16. Pinon was reportedly responsible for caring for six children, including Dionicio.
According to reports, the circumstances leading to Dionicio’s tragic death remain under investigation. Omaha police spokesperson Chris Gordon stated that Pinon did not provide any initial statements clarifying whether the incident was accidental or intentional.
The heartbreak extends beyond the immediate family, with Dionicio’s biological father, Pablo Lopez, and stepmother Jenny expressing profound grief and questioning the care provided under foster care. They revealed that they were assured Dionicio and his siblings would be well cared for by Pinon, who reportedly ran a concrete business.
“Why did they only contact me after he was dead? They could have reached out when he was alive, but they didn’t,” Lopez lamented, echoing the family’s anguish and frustration.
In the wake of this tragedy, Lopez is seeking custody of Dionicio’s twin sister, who was also under Pinon’s care. The loss has deeply affected Perez’s extended family, with his uncle, Matthew Jesop, struggling to comprehend the circumstances surrounding the boy’s death.
“So many images come to my head, like, how many times have you done this before? How many times have you not met the needs of the kids that are in your care?” Jesop expressed, reflecting the community’s shock and sorrow over the devastating loss.
Sources By Agencies
