Tragedy in Palm Bay: How a Simple Oversight Claimed an Infant’s Life

Tragedy in Palm Bay: How a Simple Oversight Claimed an Infant’s Life

On a warm Sunday morning, May 28, 2023, Palm Bay, Florida, was preparing for worship at the Mount of Olives

Evangelical Baptist Church. But by noon, the congregation’s focus had shifted from praise to panic after an 11-month-old baby girl was found unresponsive inside a parked SUV.

Police and paramedics were called just after 10:30 a.m., but the situation quickly turned heartbreaking. Witnesses say the church parking lot erupted into chaos, with officers trying to keep order as the baby’s mother, Bolain Mome, cried uncontrollably, desperate to reach her child.

According to the father, the family arrived late to lead the service. In their rush, members of the congregation helped unload the children from the vehicle. But in the confusion, no one realized the youngest child was still strapped into her seat. The mother, assuming someone had already carried her daughter inside, went straight to prepare for the service.

For the next three hours, the infant remained in the SUV under Florida’s unforgiving sun. Temperatures inside soared above 125°F. It wasn’t until around noon that she was discovered, limp and unresponsive. Despite urgent hospital treatment, she was pronounced dead from hyperthermia—a lethal heat condition caused by prolonged exposure to extreme temperatures.

Investigators reviewed witness statements and limited security camera footage from a nearby business. While the footage confirmed vehicle movements, it did not capture the moment the baby was left behind or retrieved.

Initially charged with manslaughter, Mome faced up to 30 years in prison. However, prosecutors later reduced the charge to leaving a child unattended in a vehicle after confirming she had no prior criminal record, tested negative for drugs, and fully cooperated with the investigation.

On February 21, 2024, Mome pleaded not guilty in a Brevard County courtroom. She was sentenced to two years’ probation and required to install a child safety alarm in any vehicle used to transport children—a preventative step meant to ensure no similar tragedy occurs.

This case is a devastating reminder that in hot climates like Florida, even a few minutes in a parked car can be deadly for children. Vigilance and safety measures aren’t optional—they’re lifesaving.