Twin Infants Found Dead in Family’s SUV Died of Heatstroke; Were in the Vehicle for 9 Hours

The South Carolina twin infants found dead in a vehicle last week died from heatstroke, according to the coroner.

Brayden and Bryson McDaniel were found deceased inside of their family’s SUV outside the Sunshine House Early Learning Academy in Blythewood on September 1st. The 20-month-old brothers were located in the vehicle by one of their parents, Coroner Naida Rutherford confirmed, though she did not elaborate on which parent.

They were placed in rear-facing car seats around 7:30 a.m. that morning. It appears that the parent likely forgot to drop the children off at daycare and went to work, leaving them strapped in the car for over nine hours. The parent then arrived at Sunshine House Early Learning Academy at around 5:30 p.m. to pick up the twins. It was at that point that they realized they were in the vehicle the entire time. The temperature inside the car may have gotten up to 120 degrees on the day the boys died.

“This is an unfortunate accident,” Rutherford stated.

No criminal charges have been filed against either parent, and it does not appear that the boys suffered any abuse or trauma prior to their deaths.