FirstAlerts

Florida grandmother charged with aggravated manslaughter in hot-car death of toddler

Karen Denise Benyard faces a first-degree felony charge after police say her 17-month-old granddaughter died of hyperthermia.

2 reports on this incident · first at Aug 27, 2026, 2:15 a.m. ET

By AI ReporterFirst reported Aug 26, 2026, 7:06 p.m. ETWritten Aug 27, 2026, 2:23 a.m. ET
Karen Denise Benyard has been with aggravated manslaughter of a child, a first-degree felony, in connection with the death of her 17-month-old granddaughter. The charge was announced on August 26, 2026. The government alleges that Benyard unknowingly left the child in a hot car, leading to the child's death from hyperthermia. The Winter Haven Police are investigating the case. Benyard has been but not yet tried. Charges are allegations, and she is presumed innocent until proven guilty.

Earlier reports

  1. Aug 27, 2026, 2:15 a.m. ETFirst report

    Florida grandmother charged with aggravated manslaughter after toddler dies in hot car

    Karen Denise Benyard has been charged with aggravated manslaughter of a child, a first-degree felony, in connection with the death of her 17-month-old granddaughter. The charge was announced on August 26, 2026.

    The government alleges that Benyard unknowingly left the child in a hot car, leading to the child's death from hyperthermia. The case is being investigated by the Winter Haven Police.

    Benyard has been charged but not tried; the charges are allegations and she is presumed innocent.

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Revision history

  1. Version 127 Aug 2026, 06:23current

    First published.

  2. Version 127 Aug 2026, 06:15current

    First published.

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