Childrens' Names Released In Excessive Heat Deaths

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Reporter: KAKE News
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Authorities have released the names of the two children found dead in a sweltering car at a Topeka-area home Sunday. The victims are identified as 3-year-old Raylynn Gardner and her younger brother Kyler Gardner.

The Shawnee County Sheriff's Office says excessive heat killed two 3-year-old siblings who were found in a family car.

Investigators said Tuesday that the girl and boy died of hyperthermia.

Officials said both children were healthy and no other factors contributed to their deaths.

They were found in an unlocked but closed car Sunday afternoon in the driveway of the family home south of Topeka.

Although the outside temperatures were in the mid- to upper 70s on Sunday, a Shawnee County coroner said temperatures inside the car could have been around 120 degrees.

The children's mother reported them missing Sunday afternoon, and investigators later found them in the car. The sheriff's office said the investigation is continuing.

A memorial fund -- the Gardner Family Children's Memorial Fund -- has been established at Capitol City Bank in Topeka.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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Comments are posted from viewers like you and do not always reflect the views of this station.

Posted by: Oh my on Aug 30, 2008 at 11:59 PM
Where does it say anyhwere in this article that the children were left in the car for 2 hours. Another thing to all you rude people...accidents happen and you can't judge people by mistakes that were made. Like many others have said on here that I am sure looking in the parked car in the drive way didn't even cross her mind. Especially if it is one that isn't used all that often. I don't think that this was anything intentional at all. Just a freak accident. Apparently their time here was up and God needed them up above to do some work for him. I pray for this grieving mother and one day you will be reunited with your babies. God bless you.

Posted by: Kerri Location: Wichita on Aug 28, 2008 at 11:44 PM
Please everyone, stop pointing fingers. This mother has learned a lesson in the worst possible way. My heart cries out for her and the family. Stop making unnessary comments/judgements. Be truly thankful that you were able to kiss your children and put them to bed tonight. Her arms are now empty and her guilt is emmense. I will be praying that God hold this mommy in His arms and protects her from the negative heartache others are giving her.

Posted by: T Location: Wichita on Aug 28, 2008 at 07:47 PM
It is sad what happened to those two children, and I am sure the parents are deeply grieved, but, my question is: Why wasn't the car locked in the first place, I never left my car unlock, and made sure my children when they were small knew that a car was not a toy to play in. And, if your kids are TOO quite, or you haven't heard anything out of them in about 15 minutes since the last time you checked on them, then go look!

Posted by: rhonda Location: wichita on Aug 28, 2008 at 04:29 PM
My heart goes out to the parents, when I first heard the story I was so angry I thought they were left in the car by the parents. I can't imagine what they are going through. Those poor babies, I will think twice about leaving my car unlocked from now on.

Posted by: Paula Location: Kansas on Aug 28, 2008 at 02:30 PM
I am so happy to read of so many perfect mothers out there. Please open up training centers so you can expound on your wealth of knowledge!

Posted by: April Location: http://www.buildreferrals.com/r.php?CID=1311 on Aug 27, 2008 at 08:29 AM
Can no one understand that these kids got into a second car sitting in the driveway to play? They were not in the car she was driving around in, she did not leave them buckled in and forgot about them. She could have been unloading groceries when they got in the other car, right there with them, but just that 1 second that she didnt see what they were doing. As soon as she did the first check thru her block, she had to have started thinking they were abducted, or wandered away. She called the police, they didnt think to check the car in the driveway either, and they were not a terrified mother, who was not thinking clearly. With all the bad people in the world, it is sad that they were probably thinking abduction. This was a tragic accident, that she will never get over. Those that don't know what happened should keep their cruel comments to themselves.

Posted by: Tina Location: Kansas on Aug 26, 2008 at 07:38 PM
It looks like a lot of people have already condemned this poor woman. How sad that people can be as judgemental and self-righteous as this! I am not a 'religious person', but do believe in following the golden rule of 'Do unto others as you wish others to do unto you', and 'Judge not, least ye be judged'. I am sure the police, as well as the parents, are thinking 'If only..', and are in need of sympathy and compassion, instead of mud-slinging and criticism. This incident will haunt each one of them for the rest of their lives. My heart goes out to all the people involved. May you find comfort in knowing that each one of you did the best you could do, and despite the comments before, I want to assure you the children fell asleep and did not suffer. May peace be with you.

Posted by: Tracy Location: Wichita on Aug 26, 2008 at 06:00 PM
I have to say that this is an awful thing to happen. However, what kind of mother doesn't keep an eye on her three year old children. I have kids and at the ages of 3 and almost 4, they were very busy. I can't see not keeping an eye on them. No, unfortunately we don't know the whole story. The truth is though, she should have taken them in with her if she had gone in the house or whatever. She should never have left them unattended.

Posted by: Amy Location: Wichita on Aug 26, 2008 at 04:40 PM
I pray for this family in this hard time! They have lost 2 children in a horrible way. This is a mother no matter what happened here and you can't lose sight of that. In the end justice will be served. I personally feel this was a horrible accident and this poor mother doesn't need to have all these negative comments towards her. She needs words of support. Don't you think she feels guilty enough? If it was done on purpose she wouldn't have called the police right away. Give the mother a break and have a heart. See her as a mother!! God be with you and your family at this time! God Bless You!!

Posted by: G Location: Kansas on Aug 26, 2008 at 04:25 PM
This article does not specify that this mother left her children in the car. In fact, it sounds more like they got in it on their own. Maybe they were playing a trick mommy, or maybe the little boy was pretending to drive the little girl to grandma's house. There are not enough details here for everyone to be assuming the worst about this woman.

Posted by: Cathy Location: Wellington on Aug 26, 2008 at 04:22 PM
I can't handle the hurtful, cruel comments that some of you are making. This mother didn't do this on purpose--it was a tragic accident. and apparently some of you (as noted by other writers) aren't READING the article--you're skimming it and drawing conclusions that aren't based on fact. It took officers an hour to locate these babies, and they probably weren't as emotionally distraught at the mother was. She couldn't possibly have been thinking clearly. They are TRAINED to find missing children, and if THEY couldn't do it in less than an hour, why are you all blaming her? If she had those 2 babies that close together, she had to have been exhausted. I have one toddler, and she keeps me hopping. Accidents happen. No one is suffering more than that mother. I wish her comfort and healing. I feel terrible for her. I hope she is able to find peace, and I hope she knows God, and will be reunited with those babies someday.

Posted by: ?? on Aug 26, 2008 at 04:03 PM
Jennifer of Wichita - did you not read the article? The mother did not drive around looking for the children in the vehicle that they found the children in. The vehicle that the children were found in was parked in the driveway.

Posted by: Jennifer Location: Wichita on Aug 26, 2008 at 01:59 PM
This is very sad and if the mother drove that same car to go look for them when she noticed they were missing then why did she not hear them in the car. Or notice one of them on the floor of the front seat? Three year olds are not necessarily quiet. This mother is the one at fault for the bad parenting not the children for not thinking to open the car door. This mother should have given her children to a loving family rather than this happening. I hope and pray that the authorities will charge her with a very high offense! May the two precious babies rest in peace!

Posted by: Anonymous on Aug 26, 2008 at 01:42 PM
I agree that there is much that we don't know about this situation. But it sounds as though the kids got into the car on their own. Perhaps mom stepped inside to go to the bathroom, or grab a drink or get a kleenex to wipe the kids noses. She probably realized immediately upon her return that her kids were missing. They would have been out of sight in a matter of seconds upon entering the vehicle. And the article doesn't say it took her 2 hours to NOTICE they were gone. It took 2 hours to FIND them. My son loves to pretend he is driving, and if I leave the car unlocked, he will get in it, never realizing the danger. Be honest people, do you watch your children every second? There are many distractions in life, and tragedy stikes when you least expect it. This was a tragic accident, and I am sure the family is heartbroken. I would be devastated if something happened to my child, and my heart goes out to this family.

Posted by: Anonymous on Aug 26, 2008 at 01:34 PM
People obviously it was more than 2 hours- Read the story and analyze off of that.

Posted by: Mo Location: Wgtn on Aug 26, 2008 at 01:30 PM
My understanding is that there was ANOTHER car parked in the street. That was probably the car she took when she went looking for her kids. She said that she looked in that car, but why not the one parked next to the boat in the driveway?? I do not understand how you LOSE a child. If they were outside playing, shouldn't they have been in a fenced yard? I would never let my 3-4 year old play in the front yard without a fence. You people are right, this doesn't make much sense.

Posted by: cliff Location: wichita on Aug 26, 2008 at 12:31 PM
odd, nobody looked in the car. shouldnt that be the first place? mom said she just got home, so they didnt look in the car. intellegent.

Posted by: Saddened Location: Southern Indiana on Aug 26, 2008 at 12:22 PM
I'd just like to say how disgusted I am about this. There are people in this world who are doing everything they can to keep their unborn child/children alive, like me. I don't understand why parents do this to their children. I don't believe the mother is being honest. The story is too fishy. She said she went driving around looking for them. Well, had she really been in the vehicle, she would have noticed them. I think she did this to her kids and lied about it to the police and unlocked the car doors before they arrived. I don't know. Just my guess. It's sad that parents don't pay attention to their children and unfortunate things like this happens. I don't think this was an accident. May the children rest in peace with God.

Posted by: Anonymous Location: Kansas on Aug 26, 2008 at 12:21 PM
How could it take someone 2 hours to realize her toddlers were missing. I guess she must of been on drugs or laying on her back!!!

Posted by: sick to my stomach Location: Wichita on Aug 26, 2008 at 12:18 PM
Who can't find their children for two hours? Poor, poor babies. I feel horrible for them. May they rest in peace.

Posted by: Anonymous Location: Wichita on Aug 26, 2008 at 12:03 PM
Miss Anonymous from Wichita with the medical OVER-explanation: Thank you for a lesson on one possibility. I 100% doubt any vehicle can be 30, let alone 50 degrees hotter whether its clear or stormy or humid when the outside temperature is 75 degrees. Prove me wrong. I do not doubt anything you have said about 101 degrees. But be realistic about 75 degrees. I believe part of this story is NOT being told.

Posted by: michelle Location: wichita on Aug 26, 2008 at 11:58 AM
Why year after year do we hear about kids being left in hot cars and they die? Why do so many parents do this? I don't get it? You get out of the car and you make sure your kids are with you!!! How hard is that??? These poor kids...

Posted by: A Location: Wichita on Aug 26, 2008 at 11:12 AM
I agree with several other comments. It only takes me less then a min ute to know my son is not where he is supposed to be. The only freedom he gets is in the house and the doors are deadbolt locked. Too many things can happen. If we are outside I can always see him. How hard is this to do? Give me a break!! Be a woman confess, if she didnt want her kids she shouldve givin them up for adoption or keep your legs together. Man this makes me mad

Posted by: cliff Location: wichita on Aug 26, 2008 at 11:04 AM
ROSE, read the artical, they were not in car seats or strapped down, the little boy was laying on the floor of the front seat. the little laying on the back seat. possibly a case of hide and go seek gone bad?

Posted by: Anonymous on Aug 26, 2008 at 10:57 AM
The mother is not telling the truth!Those poor babies god bless their souls they are with angels now to protect them from any futher harm. The mother needs to step and tell the truth.

Posted by: FrogBabyJake Location: Wichita on Aug 26, 2008 at 10:07 AM
Children do not get lost, adults lose them.

Posted by: Tiff on Aug 26, 2008 at 08:38 AM
I HATE hearing about abuse, neglect or any wrong doing against kids. I have a 2 year old & it makes me sick to think of anything happening to another child. Whether the kids got into the car on their own or not doesn't matter. What matters is that the parent/s did not pay attention to their kids & did not protect them as parents should.

Posted by: Kim Location: KS on Aug 26, 2008 at 06:33 AM
Read the article carefully. It says they were found 2 hours AFTER being reported missing. Headline from The Topeka Capital Journal reads "Mother reports toddlers missing; deputies find them 2½ hours later" Leaves a slightly different first impression.

Posted by: Rose Location: Ulysses on Aug 25, 2008 at 08:19 PM
On Top of what the person below wrote .I may add that these children could have been strapped in car seats which they could not have gotten out of ! Posted by: Anonymous Location: Wichita, KS on Aug 25, 2008 at 02:36 PM Alright, what you people DO NOT UNDERSTAND is that they are 3. Yes they know how to open doors, but they dont have the knowledge of a dangerous situation. Heat effects on children are totally different from adults. Also, if it was 75 degrees, sunny (clear skys) with NO TINT on the vehicle, it could get up to 50 degrees warmer inside. This would heat up the interior of the vehicle, which would then start to heat up the children.. If the brain reaches over 101 degrees, they can not think clearly, and it doesnt help that they are 3 years old, with no knowledge of the danger. So what happend, if your smart, their brains cooked in the vehicle, and got severly dehydrated.

Posted by: melissa Location: wichita ks on Aug 25, 2008 at 06:05 PM
i can't belive a mother didn't know were her childeren were at, and how she didn't pay attenchen to them.,

Posted by: Anonymous Location: Kansas on Aug 25, 2008 at 04:09 PM
How could you not know where your children are for two hours????? This just makes me sick that people are so stupid and careless. I would do anything to have a child of my own!!!

Posted by: omg on Aug 25, 2008 at 02:47 PM
what an idiot. i agree about the serilization. the last thing America needs (other than obama) is more stupid people breeding. ugh!

Posted by: Anonymous Location: Wichita, KS on Aug 25, 2008 at 02:36 PM
Alright, what you people DO NOT UNDERSTAND is that they are 3. Yes they know how to open doors, but they dont have the knowledge of a dangerous situation. Heat effects on children are totally different from adults. Also, if it was 75 degrees, sunny (clear skys) with NO TINT on the vehicle, it could get up to 50 degrees warmer inside. This would heat up the interior of the vehicle, which would then start to heat up the children.. If the brain reaches over 101 degrees, they can not think clearly, and it doesnt help that they are 3 years old, with no knowledge of the danger. So what happend, if your smart, their brains cooked in the vehicle, and got severly dehydrated.

Posted by: JoJo Location: Manhattan on Aug 25, 2008 at 01:37 PM
Even if the kids got into the car unnoticed - a 4yr old should be able to open the front car doors (if the child safety lock on the back doors was on), or sound the horn, bang on the windows etc... Were there no neighbors around? Why were a 4yr old and a 3 yr old outside, unsupervised? Something is very wrong here... Poor babies!

Posted by: Anonymous Location: kansas on Aug 25, 2008 at 01:15 PM
with these kids being 3 years old they should have know how to open the car door, why sis they get out? was there a reason they didn't open the doors and get out. there is more to this story that is not being told. people make me so sick they was they treat there kids. i could never hurt my kids.

Posted by: Anonymous Location: Kansas on Aug 25, 2008 at 10:59 AM
Something doesn't seems right about this. 2 hours in a vehicle that is MAYBE 95-100 degrees? That is not that hot. We have endured 100 degrees in Kansas all the time for durations greater than 90 minutes to 3 hours. Are there other contributing factors not included in this article????

Posted by: Chris Location: Derby on Aug 25, 2008 at 10:19 AM
They should have been looked after better. Those poor kids suffered so much. The parent/ guardian that was watching them should be sufficated

Posted by: Stephanie on Aug 25, 2008 at 10:08 AM
I'm so disgusted. My heart just breaks when something like this happens and at the same time I get so MAD at the stupidity of the parents. How can you possibly forget you have twins in your car? Didn't she notice it was quieter? UGH! I am just sickened by this.

Posted by: John Location: Wichita on Aug 25, 2008 at 09:50 AM
Incidents of this nature happen all too often. These are not "accidents" but rather deliberate acts of wanton child neglect and child endangerment. Unless and until these cases are prosecuted for what they really are they will continue. It is obvious that any one with an IQ score containing 2 or more digits should be able to figure this one out. The responsible parties in these cases should have their names and photos posted in public and should be prohibited to be in a position of trust with any child . . . this should automatically also require court mandated sterilization of the offenders.

Posted by: Anonymous on Aug 25, 2008 at 09:27 AM
May god be with these precious babaies very sad tragedy god be with you

Posted by: WHAT? on Aug 25, 2008 at 09:21 AM
It took the MOTHER, 2 hours to figure out her kids weren't around..OMG....something fishy here if you ask me!

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