One father from South Carolina would have to spend his life with the guilt of knowing he was the one responsible for the death of his two twin sons, Brycen and Brayden McDaniel.
The boys lost their lives on September 1, 2021, after the father forgot to drop them off at the day-care center and they spent nine long hours trapped inside the SUV. It was reported that the temperature inside the vehicle rose up to 120 degrees Fahrenheit (49 degrees Celsius).
After he parked his car, the father, who was said to have been under tremendous stress recently, reported for duty at a manufacturing plant.
JUST IN: No charges filed after twins found dead in car outside of South Carolina daycare https://t.co/jhur53TD39
— Kevin Accettulla (@kevinaccettulla) September 21, 2021
Once his shift was over, he went to the Sunshine House Early Learning Academy to pick the twins up just to be told that they hadn’t been dropped off that day.
Filled with panic, the father rushed to his car, but it was way too late. The 20-month-old boys were both dead. They died of hyperthermia, or heat stroke.
Richland County Sheriff, Leon Lott, spoke to the father and dubbed the questioning one of the most heartbreaking in his 46 years of service.
“He didn’t mean to do it. God, he didn’t mean to do it. He’s got to live with that the rest of his life,” Lott said during a press conference. “The father was under some intense pressure at work that really had his mind somewhere else that day. In his mind, he really believed he dropped the two boys off at daycare.”
Coroner Naida Rutherford spoke of the tips parents could use in order to be sure their kids are not left inside a vehicle. They could place a toy or a bag or diapers at the front seat, among the rest.
“We urge each parent there are so many stressors with Covid 19, with the world-changing to look in the backseat,” Rutherford said, as per WMBF. “Make sure you dropped off the children. For every child care center, baby center, we urge you if the child does not show up to call the family. It could save a life.”
The obituary for the beautiful angels said, “They were fun-loving little boys, with smiles that could light up an entire room. They enjoyed laughing, giving wet kisses, singing, listening to their Daddy and PaPa play jazzy tunes on the saxophone, and dancing to music from Earth, Wind and Fire and Frankie Beverly and Maze. Yes, they were wise way beyond their years.”
No charges have been pressed against the father.
Rest in peace, Brycen and Brayden. You will never be forgotten.