Twin babies found dead in car after father ‘forgot they were there’
Police believe 39-year-old dad went to work and forgot children were in vehicle parked outside
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.A pair of twin babies were found dead in the back of a car after their father allegedly forgot they were there.
Police believe Juan Rodriguez parked his car near the hospital where he works at 8am on Friday, leaving one-year-olds Phoenix and Mariza Rodriguez in the back of the vehicle.
The 39-year-old reportedly returned to the car eight hours later and drove off, before realising the children were in the back seat and frantically calling for help at about 4pm.
A passer-by heard the father screaming at the side of the road and called emergency services, the New York Post quoted police as saying.
The children were pronounced dead at the scene in New York on Friday afternoon.
Law enforcement sources told the New York Post that the babies were found “not breathing” with “their mouths covered in foam”.
Temperatures reached 30C in New York on Friday, but even an outdoor temperature of just 16C can be fatal inside a closed car, where the temperature can climb rapidly.
Juan Rodriguez was charged with two counts of manslaughter and criminally negligent homicide, New York City police said on Saturday.
A cause of death has not yet been determined.
It is unclear whether Mr Rodriguez has a lawyer to speak on his behalf.
Associated Press contributed to this report.