On that tragic day, the 20-month-old twin boys, Brycen and Brayden McDaniel, were meant to be dropped off at daycare. Unfortunately, their father forgot to do so and left them in the backseat before proceeding to work.
The tragic loss of two young children occurred after spending over nine grueling hours trapped in the backseat of their father’s vehicle.
According to reports, the father was under significant work-related stress during the incident. On that fateful day, he was so distracted that he believed he had dropped off the twins at their South Carolina daycare. Tragically, the twins remained inside the car, and the father proceeded to report for work at an industrial plant in the same vicinity, carrying on with his routine as usual.
After completing his shift, the father went to the daycare to collect his boys. However, upon inquiring with the staff about the twins, he was informed that they had not been brought in that day.
The father hurried back to his car and discovered his lifeless twins still in their car seats, exposed to the scorching afternoon sun for around nine hours. Tragically, the twins passed away from hyperthermia or heat stroke, as temperatures inside the car reached up to 120 degrees Fahrenheit.
According to Richland County Sheriff Leon Lott, he had a heartbreaking conversation with the father after the incident. Lott stated that the father did not intend to harm his twins, and he will have to live with the consequences for the rest of his life.
Sheriff Lott explained that the father was dealing with high levels of work-related stress on the day of the incident, which led to his preoccupation. The father believed he had dropped off the twins at daycare and was not aware of their presence in the car.
Lott revealed that his conversation with the father was one of the most emotionally difficult he had ever experienced, noting that the father’s raw emotions were genuine and could not be faked.
After the tragic and preventable loss of Brycen and Brayden, coroner Naida Rutherford emphasized the importance of prevention. She suggested leaving a diaper bag or stuffed animal in the front seat as a reminder that children are in the backseat. Rutherford acknowledged the added stress and changes due to COVID-19, and advised childcare centers to contact families if their children do not show up.
The father of Brycen and Brayden did not face any charges in relation to their tragic deaths.